BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-Q

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

Investment Company Act file number: 811-08603

Name of Fund:   BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

Fund Address:  100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809

Name and address of agent for service: John M. Perlowski, Chief Executive Officer, BlackRock Debt

Strategies Fund, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 882-0052, Option 4

Date of fiscal year end: 02/28/2018

Date of reporting period: 11/30/2017


Item 1 – Schedule of Investments


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security         

Shares/Par

(000)

    Value  

Common Stocks — 0.5%

 

Chemicals — 0.1%  

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc.(a)(b)(c)

 

    481,806     $ 207,176  

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc.(a)(b)

 

    557,488       239,720  

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A

      26       2,722  
   

 

 

 
        449,618  
Diversified Financial Services — 0.3%  

Kcad Holdings I Ltd.(a)(b)

      1,075,282,733       2,053,790  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Management Services — 0.0%  

New Millennium HoldCo, Inc.(b)

      10,718       3,012  
   

 

 

 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.1%  

Vistra Energy Corp.

      39,599       748,421  
   

 

 

 
Internet Software & Services — 0.0%  

New Holdings LLC

      252       88,200  
   

 

 

 
Media — 0.0%  

Adelphia Communications Corp., Class A,(a)(b)

      400,000       4  

Adelphia Recovery Trust,(b)

      396,568       159  
   

 

 

 
        163  
Metals & Mining — 0.0%  

Ameriforge Group, Inc.

      1,664       66,560  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.0%  

SunPower Corp.(b)

      1,707       14,100  
   

 

 

 
Specialty Retail — 0.0%  

Things Remembered, Inc.(a)(b)

      1,199,043       12  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 0.5%
(Cost — $20,794,617)

 

    3,423,876  
   

 

 

 

Asset-Backed Securities — 10.7%

 

ACAS CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class D, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.65%), 5.00%, 04/18/27(c)(d)

    USD       280       280,766  

ALM VI Ltd., Series 2012-6A, Class B1RR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.05%),
3.41%, 07/15/26(c)(d)

      3,000       3,023,699  

ALM XII Ltd., Series 2015-12A, Class BR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.05%), 3.41%, 04/16/27(c)(d)

      1,250       1,259,142  

ALM XII, Ltd., Series 2015-12A, Class C2R, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.20%), 4.56%, 04/16/27(c)(d)

      1,500       1,521,054  

ALM XIV Ltd., Series 2014-14A, Class C, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.45%), 4.83%, 07/28/26(c)(d)

      463       465,027  
Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Asset-Backed Securities (continued)  

ALM XVI Ltd/ALM XVI LLC,
Series 2015-16A(c)(d):

     

Class BR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.05%), 3.41%, 07/15/27

    USD       1,000     $ 1,007,747  

Class C1R, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.20%), 4.56%, 07/15/27

      1,650       1,675,327  

Class D, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 5.35%), 6.71%, 07/15/27

      1,250       1,256,168  

Anchorage Capital CLO 5 Ltd., Series 2014-5A, Class CR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.20%), 3.56%, 10/15/26(c)(d)

      2,000       2,006,649  

Anchorage Capital CLO 6 Ltd., Series 2015-6A, Class CR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.40%), 3.76%, 07/15/30(c)(d)

      700       714,837  

Anchorage Capital CLO Ltd.(d):

     

Series 2013-1A, Class BR,
3.51%, 10/13/30(a)(e)

      1,000       1,019,243  

Series 2014-4A, Class CR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.40%), 4.78%, 07/28/26(c)

      2,250       2,279,150  

Apidos CDO, Series 2015-21A, Class C, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.55%),
4.90%, 07/18/27(c)(d)

      1,650       1,666,910  

Ares CLO Ltd.(c)(d):

     

Series 2015-38A, Class D, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 4.15%), 5.51%, 01/20/27

      1,000       1,007,692  

Series 2016-41A, Class D, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 4.20%), 5.56%, 01/15/29

      450       464,563  

ARES XLIV CLO, Ltd.,
Series 2017-44A(a)(c)(d):

     

Class C, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.45%), 4.76%, 10/15/29

      1,000       1,022,219  

Class D, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 6.55%), 7.86%, 10/15/29

      1,000       1,029,246  

Ares XXVII CLO Ltd., Series 2013-2A, Class DR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.75%), 5.13%, 07/28/29(c)(d)

      1,000       1,025,278  

Ares XXVII CLO, Ltd., Series 2013-2A, Class CR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.40%), 3.78%, 07/28/29(c)(d)

      1,400       1,425,193  

Atlas Senior Loan Fund VI Ltd., Series 2014-6A, Class DR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.60%), 4.96%, 10/15/26(c)(d)

      1,000       1,003,291  

Benefit Street Partners CLO XII Ltd., Series 2017-12A(d):

     

Class B, 3.35%, 10/15/30(e)

      1,000       1,015,825  

Class C, 4.40%, 10/15/30

      1,250       1,265,268  

BlueMountain CLO Ltd., Series 2014-3A, Class CR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.20%), 4.56%, 10/15/26(c)(d)

      1,000       1,002,510  

Burnham Park CLO Ltd., Series 2016-1A, Class D, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.85%), 5.21%, 10/20/29(c)(d)

      1,000       1,016,272  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      1  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Asset-Backed Securities (continued)  

Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO Ltd.(c)(d):

     

Series 2012-4A, Class DR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 4.10%), 5.46%, 01/20/29

    USD       1,000     $ 1,021,989  

Series 2014-1A, Class CR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.75%), 4.10%, 04/17/25

      1,500       1,503,156  

Series 2015-1A, Class CR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.00%), 3.36%, 04/20/27

      1,250       1,253,750  

Series 2015-1A, Class E1, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 5.30%), 6.66%, 04/20/27

      1,000       1,006,101  

Series 2015-2A, Class C, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.75%), 5.12%, 04/27/27

      250       250,893  

Series 2015-2A, Class D, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 5.30%), 6.67%, 04/27/27

      1,000       1,008,283  

Catskill Park CLO, Ltd., Series 2017-1A, Class C, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.70%), 5.06%, 04/20/29(c)(d)

      1,000       1,020,478  

CBAM 2017-3, Ltd., Series 2017-3A, Class E, 7.87%, 10/17/29(d)(e)

      1,000       1,014,369  

Cedar Funding IV CLO, Ltd., Series 2014-4A, Class DR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.65%), 5.01%, 07/23/30(c)(d)

      1,500       1,532,491  

CIFC Funding III Ltd., Series 2014-3A, Class C1R, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.90%), 3.26%, 07/22/26(c)(d)

      1,375       1,380,853  

CIFC Funding Ltd., Series 2014-3A, Class DR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.15%), 4.51%, 07/22/26(c)(d)

      1,000       1,005,160  

CIFC Funding V Ltd., Series 2015-5A, Class D, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 6.30%), 7.67%, 10/25/27(c)(d)

      1,000       1,020,808  

Dryden 49 Senior Loan Fund, Series 2017-49A, Class D, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.65%), 5.00%, 07/18/30(c)(d)

      1,000       1,023,029  

Dryden Senior Loan Fund, Series 2014-36A, Class DR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 4.24%), 5.60%, 01/15/28(c)(d)

      1,000       1,028,176  

Elevation CLO Ltd., Series 2013-1A, Class CR, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.68%),
6.10%, 11/15/28(c)(d)

      800       816,696  

Goldentree Loan Opportunities XI, Ltd., Series 2015-11A, Class E, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 5.55%), 6.90%, 04/18/27(c)(d)

      750       753,596  
Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Asset-Backed Securities (continued)  

Highbridge Loan Management Ltd.(c)(d):

     

Series 5A-2015, Class C1R, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.10%), 3.48%, 01/29/26

    USD       1,250     $ 1,257,782  

Series 5A-2015, Class C2R, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.10%), 3.48%, 01/29/26

      500       501,808  

Series 5A-2015, Class D1R, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.30%), 4.68%, 01/29/26

      1,250       1,253,253  

Series 6A-2015, Class D, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.65%), 5.04%, 05/05/27

      300       300,733  

Series 6A-2015, Class E1, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 5.45%), 6.84%, 05/05/27

      1,250       1,250,732  

LCM XV LP, Series 15A(c)(d):

     

Class CR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.40%), 3.76%, 07/20/30

      2,250       2,295,965  

Class DR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.70%), 5.06%, 07/20/30

      1,250       1,277,684  

LCM XXV, Ltd., Series 25A, Class D, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.45%), 4.76%, 07/20/30(c)(d)

      1,000       1,016,602  

Madison Park Funding X, Ltd., Series 2012-10A, Class DR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 4.20%), 5.56%, 01/20/29(c)(d)

      1,500       1,534,257  

Madison Park Funding XIV Ltd., Series 2014-14A, Class DR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.25%), 4.61%, 07/20/26(c)(d)

      1,014       1,016,999  

Madison Park Funding XVI Ltd., Series 2015-16A, Class D, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 5.50%), 6.86%, 04/20/26(c)(d)

      1,000       1,003,239  

Neuberger Berman CLO XV, Series 2013-15A, Class CR, 3.41%, 10/15/29(d)(e)

      1,000       1,013,172  

Neuberger Berman CLO XVII Ltd., Series 2014-17A, Class DR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.65%), 5.01%, 04/22/29(c)(d)

      1,000       1,021,959  

Neuberger Berman CLO XVIII Ltd., Series 2014-18A, Class CR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 4.25%), 5.66%, 11/14/27(c)(d)

      1,000       1,027,383  

Neuberger Berman CLO XXII Ltd., Series 2016-22A, Class E, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 6.75%), 8.10%, 10/17/27(c)(d)

      1,000       1,033,293  
 

 

 

2    2017 BLACKROCK QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Asset-Backed Securities (continued)  

Neuberger Berman CLO XXIII Ltd., Series 2016-23A, Class E, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 6.58%), 7.93%, 10/17/27(c)(d)

    USD       1,000     $ 1,031,955  

OCP CLO Ltd., Series 2012-2A, Class DR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 4.47%),
5.92%, 11/22/25(c)(d)

      1,000       1,018,926  

Octagon Investment Partners XXII, Ltd., (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.10%), 3.46%, 11/25/25(c)(d)

      1,500       1,504,318  

OZLM Funding IV Ltd., 3.56%, 10/22/30(d)(e)

      1,000       1,016,053  

OZLM Funding, Ltd., Series 2012-1A(c)(d):

     

Class BR2, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.30%), 3.66%, 07/23/29

      1,000       1,019,755  

Class CR2, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.60%), 4.96%, 07/23/29

      1,000       1,020,631  

OZLM IX Ltd., Series 2014-9A Class CR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.55%), 4.91%, 01/20/27(c)(d)

      750       752,473  

Palmer Square CLO Ltd., Series 2015-2A(c)(d):

     

Class CR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.70%), 5.06%, 07/20/30

      1,200       1,222,171  

Class DR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 6.50%), 7.86%, 07/20/30

      1,000       1,018,038  

Recette CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class DR, 4.11%, 10/20/27(d)(e)

      1,000       1,002,364  

Sound Point CLO III, Ltd., Series 2013-2A, Class DR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.35%), 4.71%, 07/15/25(c)(d)

      1,000       1,001,925  

Sound Point CLO IV Ltd., Series 2013-3A(c)(d):

     

Class CR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.25%), 3.61%, 01/21/26

      1,000       1,003,586  

Class DR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.40%), 4.76%, 01/21/26

      500       501,129  

Symphony CLO Ltd., (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.65%), 5.01%, 07/15/28(c)(d)

      1,700       1,715,586  

THL Credit Wind River 2014-3 CLO, Ltd., Series 2014-3A, Class C1R, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.20%), 3.56%, 01/22/27(c)(d)

      1,000       1,003,556  

Webster Park CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A(c)(d):

     

Class B1, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.10%), 4.46%, 01/20/27

      500       502,142  

Class C, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 4.05%), 5.41%, 01/20/27

      500       501,972  
Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Asset-Backed Securities (continued)  

York CLO 1, Ltd., Series 2014-1A, Class CR, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.35%), 3.71%, 01/22/27(c)(d)

    USD       1,500     $ 1,496,569  
     

 

 

 

Total Asset-Backed Securities — 10.7%
(Cost — $79,921,001)

 

    81,230,914  
     

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds — 54.5%

 

Aerospace & Defense — 1.5%  

Arconic, Inc.:

     

5.13%, 10/01/24

      1,687       1,798,764  

5.90%, 02/01/27

      280       312,200  

6.75%, 01/15/28

      180       211,061  

Bombardier, Inc.(d):

     

8.75%, 12/01/21

      244       269,927  

6.00%, 10/15/22

      1,356       1,327,185  

6.13%, 01/15/23

      536       527,531  

7.50%, 12/01/24

      306       308,570  

7.50%, 03/15/25

      740       743,700  

EnPro Industries, Inc., 5.88%, 09/15/22

      292       303,680  

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc., 5.00%, 12/15/21(d)

      307       314,982  

KLX, Inc., 5.88%, 12/01/22 (d)

      1,662       1,736,790  

Koppers, Inc., 6.00%, 02/15/25(d)

      606       650,874  

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., 7.00%, 05/15/19

      200       205,600  

TransDigm, Inc.:

     

6.00%, 07/15/22

      922       950,813  

6.50%, 07/15/24

      1,309       1,338,453  

6.38%, 06/15/26

      103       104,545  
     

 

 

 
        11,104,675  
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.3%  

XPO Logistics, Inc.:

     

5.75%, 06/15/21

    EUR       100       122,493  

6.50%, 06/15/22(d)

    USD       1,831       1,913,395  

6.13%, 09/01/23(d)

      71       74,994  
     

 

 

 
        2,110,882  
Airlines — 0.6%  

Air Canada Pass-Through Trust, Series 2013-1, Class C,
6.63%, 05/15/18(d)

      712       723,570  

Continental Airlines Pass-Through Trust, Series 2012-3, Class C, 6.13%, 04/29/18

      2,390       2,425,850  

US Airways Pass-Through Trust, Series 2013-1, Class B, 5.38%, 05/15/23

      1,044       1,103,509  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      3  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Airlines (continued)  

Virgin Australia Trust, Series 2013-1, Class C, 7.13%, 10/23/18(d)

    USD       313     $ 319,906  
     

 

 

 
        4,572,835  
Auto Components — 0.6%  

Allison Transmission, Inc., 5.00%, 10/01/24(d)

      685       713,462  

Gestamp Funding Luxembourg SA, 3.50%, 05/15/23

    EUR       100       124,629  

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 5.00%, 05/31/26

    USD       133       137,695  

HP Pelzer Holding GmbH, 4.13%, 04/01/24

    EUR       100       124,143  

Icahn Enterprises LP/Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp.:

     

6.25%, 02/01/22

    USD       1,027       1,068,080  

6.75%, 02/01/24

      151       158,550  

IHO Verwaltungs GmbH(f):

     

(2.75% Cash or 3.50% PIK), 2.75%, 09/15/21

    EUR       100       122,338  

(3.25% Cash or 4.00% PIK), 3.25%, 09/15/23

      100       124,738  

(3.75% Cash or 4.50% PIK), 3.75%, 09/15/26

      100       127,952  

(4.50% Cash or 5.25% PIK), 4.50%, 09/15/23(d)

    USD       900       921,375  

Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC, 5.63%, 02/01/23(d)

      425       438,812  

Tesla, Inc., 5.30%, 08/15/25(d)

      518       494,534  

Venture Holdings Co. LLC(a)(b)(g):

     

12.00%, 07/01/49

      5,150       1  

Series B, 9.50%, 07/01/05

      5,125       1  
     

 

 

 
        4,556,310  
Banks — 0.2%  

Allied Irish Banks PLC, (5 year EUR Swap + 3.95%), 4.13%, 11/26/25(h)

    EUR       100       129,285  

Banco Espirito Santo SA(g):

     

2.63%, 05/08/17

      100       35,707  

4.75%, 01/15/18

      200       66,654  

4.00%, 01/21/19

      100       33,327  

Banco Popolare, 2.75%, 07/27/20

      100       124,430  

Bank of Ireland, (5 year EUR Swap + 3.55%), 4.25%, 06/11/24(h)

      100       125,543  

Bankia SA(h):

     

(5 year EUR Swap + 3.17%), 4.00%, 05/22/24

      100       124,041  

(5 year EUR Swap + 3.35%), 3.38%, 03/15/27

      100       125,449  
Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Banks (continued)  

CaixaBank SA, (5 year EUR Swap + 3.35%), 3.50%, 02/15/27(h)

    USD       100     $ 126,446  

CIT Group, Inc.:

     

5.00%, 08/15/22

      74       79,088  

5.00%, 08/01/23

      130       139,906  

National Bank of Greece SA, 2.75%, 10/19/20

    EUR       100       119,725  
     

 

 

 
        1,229,601  
Building Materials — 0.0%  

Titan Global Finance PLC, 3.50%, 06/17/21

      100       126,583  
     

 

 

 
Building Products — 0.5%  

American Builders & Contractors Supply Co., Inc.(d):

     

5.63%, 04/15/21

    USD       84       85,680  

5.75%, 12/15/23

      415       438,987  

Beacon Escrow Corp., 4.88%, 11/01/25(d)

      868       885,360  

Building Materials Corp. of America(d):

     

5.38%, 11/15/24

      85       89,462  

6.00%, 10/15/25

      664       715,593  

CPG Merger Sub LLC, 8.00%, 10/01/21(d)

      666       689,310  

Ply Gem Industries, Inc., 6.50%, 02/01/22

      472       488,520  

Standard Industries, Inc., 5.50%, 02/15/23(d)

      303       318,150  

USG Corp., 4.88%, 06/01/27(d)

      214       223,630  
     

 

 

 
        3,934,692  
Capital Markets — 0.5%  

Blackstone CQP Holdco LP(d):

     

6.50%, 03/20/21

      3,526       3,570,075  

6.00%, 08/18/21

      576       576,000  
     

 

 

 
        4,146,075  
Chemicals — 3.3%  

Alpha 3 BV/Alpha US Bidco, Inc., 6.25%, 02/01/25(d)

      1,100       1,127,500  

Axalta Coating Systems Dutch Holding B BV, 3.75%, 01/15/25

    EUR       100       127,761  

Axalta Coating Systems LLC, 4.88%, 08/15/24(d)

    USD       325       340,438  

Blue Cube Spinco, Inc.:

     

9.75%, 10/15/23

      564       671,865  

10.00%, 10/15/25

      376       456,840  

CF Industries, Inc., 5.15%, 03/15/34

      185       186,388  
 

 

 

4    2017 BLACKROCK QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Chemicals (continued)  

Chemours Co.:

     

6.63%, 05/15/23

    USD       270     $ 285,525  

7.00%, 05/15/25

      321       351,094  

5.38%, 05/15/27

      312       325,260  

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc., 1.00%, 10/18/25

      7,051       11,595,486  

Hexion, Inc., 10.38%, 02/01/22(d)

      311       286,213  

Huntsman International LLC, 5.13%, 11/15/22

      1,101       1,186,327  

Ineos Finance PLC, 4.00%, 05/01/23

    EUR       100       122,747  

INEOS Group Holdings SA, 5.38%, 08/01/24

      100       128,250  

Momentive Performance Materials, Inc., 3.88%, 10/24/21

    USD       2,675       2,775,312  

NOVA Chemicals Corp.(d):

     

4.88%, 06/01/24

      350       354,375  

5.25%, 06/01/27

      13       13,130  

Platform Specialty Products Corp.(d):

     

6.50%, 02/01/22

      2,629       2,717,729  

5.88%, 12/01/25

      468       471,510  

PQ Corp., 6.75%, 11/15/22(d)

      759       817,822  

PSPC Escrow Corp., 6.00%, 02/01/23

    EUR       100       124,572  

Tronox Finance PLC, 5.75%, 10/01/25(d)

    USD       172       178,880  

WR Grace & Co-Conn, 5.13%, 10/01/21(d)

      410       434,087  
     

 

 

 
        25,079,111  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.7%  

ADT Corp.:

     

6.25%, 10/15/21

      574       631,400  

3.50%, 07/15/22

      283       281,939  

4.13%, 06/15/23

      330       333,505  

4.88%, 07/15/32(d)

      1,054       999,761  

Advanced Disposal Services, Inc., 5.63%, 11/15/24(d)

      608       627,760  

CD&R Waterworks Merger Sub LLC, 6.13%, 08/15/25(d)

      205       209,161  

Harland Clarke Holdings Corp., 8.38%, 08/15/22(d)

      740       771,450  

KAR Auction Services, Inc.,
5.13%, 06/01/25(d)

      552       571,320  

La Financiere Atalian SAS, 4.00%, 05/15/24

    EUR       100       124,976  

Mobile Mini, Inc., 5.88%, 07/01/24

    USD       104       109,200  

Paprec Holding SA, 5.25%, 04/01/22

    EUR       100       123,794  

Park Aerospace Holdings Ltd.(d):

     

3.63%, 03/15/21

    USD       62       60,760  

5.25%, 08/15/22

      32       32,720  

Ritchie Bros Auctioneers, Inc., 5.38%, 01/15/25(d)

      302       315,590  

United Rentals North America, Inc., 5.75%, 11/15/24

      165       174,075  
Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Commercial Services & Supplies (continued)  

Verisure Holding AB, 6.00%, 11/01/22

    EUR       113     $ 143,254  
     

 

 

 
        5,510,665  
Communications Equipment — 0.5%  

CommScope Technologies Finance LLC, 6.00%, 06/15/25(d)

    USD       105       112,350  

CommScope Technologies LLC,
5.00%, 03/15/27(d)

      347       347,000  

CommScope, Inc., 5.50%, 06/15/24(d)

      227       237,782  

Zayo Group LLC/Zayo Capital, Inc.:

     

6.00%, 04/01/23

      2,321       2,415,291  

6.38%, 05/15/25

      175       185,719  

5.75%, 01/15/27(d)

      380       391,400  
     

 

 

 
        3,689,542  
Construction & Engineering — 0.5%  

BlueLine Rental Finance Corp.,
9.25%, 03/15/24(d)

      1,697       1,837,002  

Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, Inc., 8.50%, 07/15/25(d)

      832       882,170  

Engility Corp., 8.88%, 09/01/24

      468       503,100  

SPIE SA, 3.13%, 03/22/24

    EUR       100       124,669  

Tutor Perini Corp., 6.88%, 05/01/25(d)

    USD       182       193,448  

Weekley Homes LLC/Weekley Finance Corp., 6.63%, 08/15/25(d)

      52       50,708  
     

 

 

 
        3,591,097  
Construction Materials — 0.4%  

American Tire Distributors, Inc., 10.25%, 03/01/22(d)

      384       392,640  

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.,
5.63%, 09/01/25(d)

      89       93,228  

HD Supply, Inc., 5.75%, 04/15/24(d)

      2,029       2,160,885  

PulteGroup, Inc., 5.50%, 03/01/26

      235       254,975  

Rexel SA, 3.50%, 06/15/23

    EUR       130       162,651  
     

 

 

 
        3,064,379  
Consumer Discretionary — 0.1%  

Arch Merger Sub, Inc., 8.50%, 09/15/25(d)

    USD       512       460,800  

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.,
4.88%, 11/01/24(d)

      72       74,160  

ServiceMaster Co. LLC, 5.13%, 11/15/24(d)

      156       158,340  

Viking Cruises Ltd.(d):

     

6.25%, 05/15/25

      72       75,060  

5.88%, 09/15/27

      394       398,433  
     

 

 

 
        1,166,793  
Consumer Finance — 0.8%  

Ally Financial, Inc.:

     

6.25%, 12/01/17

      30       30,000  

5.13%, 09/30/24

      1,207       1,315,630  

8.00%, 11/01/31

      1,755       2,323,181  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      5  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Consumer Finance (continued)  

CDK Global, Inc., 4.88%, 06/01/27(d)

    USD       333     $ 342,990  

IHS Markit Ltd., 4.00%, 03/01/26(d)(i)

      151       152,133  

Navient Corp.:

     

6.63%, 07/26/21

      297       314,078  

6.50%, 06/15/22

      206       216,300  

5.50%, 01/25/23

      345       345,431  

7.25%, 09/25/23

      10       10,775  

6.13%, 03/25/24

      237       239,963  

5.88%, 10/25/24

      258       259,367  

5.63%, 08/01/33

      260       223,600  

OneMain Financial Holdings LLC(d):

     

6.75%, 12/15/19

      439       453,267  

7.25%, 12/15/21

      124       128,737  
     

 

 

 
        6,355,452  
Containers & Packaging — 1.9%  

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc.:

     

6.00%, 06/30/21(d)

      1,270       1,304,925  

4.63%, 05/15/23(d)

      223       228,854  

6.75%, 05/15/24

    EUR       125       164,961  

7.25%, 05/15/24(d)

    USD       2,485       2,721,075  

6.00%, 02/15/25(d)

      1,418       1,506,767  

4.75%, 07/15/27

    GBP       100       136,579  

Ball Corp.:

     

5.00%, 03/15/22

    USD       158       169,653  

4.00%, 11/15/23

      32       32,880  

BWAY Holding Co., 5.50%, 04/15/24(d)

      1,144       1,192,620  

Horizon Holdings I SASU, 7.25%, 08/01/23

    EUR       100       126,752  

International Paper Co., 7.30%, 11/15/39

    USD       5       6,932  

JH-Holding Finance SA, (8.25% PIK), 8.25%, 12/01/22(f)

    EUR       100       128,022  

Mercer International, Inc., 6.50%, 02/01/24

    USD       144       152,100  

Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc./Reynolds Group Issuer LLC/Reynolds Group Issuer Lu:

     

6.88%, 02/15/21

      172       175,960  

(3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.50%), 4.86%, 07/15/21(c)(d)

      1,361       1,384,817  

5.13%, 07/15/23(d)

      372       385,950  

7.00%, 07/15/24(d)

      1,882       2,019,245  

Sappi Papier Holding GmbH, 4.00%, 04/01/23

    EUR       100       124,933  

Sealed Air Corp., 4.88%, 12/01/22(d)

    USD       278       295,027  

Signode Industrial Group Lux
SA/Signode Industrial Group US, Inc.,
6.38%, 05/01/22(d)

      1,368       1,407,330  
    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Containers & Packaging (continued)  

Silgan Holdings, Inc., 3.25%, 03/15/25

    EUR       100     $ 123,581  

Smurfit Kappa Acquisitions,
4.88%, 09/15/18(d)

    USD       200       202,460  

Verallia Packaging SASU, 5.13%, 08/01/22

    EUR       100       124,976  
     

 

 

 
        14,116,399  
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.8%  

APX Group, Inc.:

     

6.38%, 12/01/19

    USD       106       107,458  

8.75%, 12/01/20

      331       337,934  

7.88%, 12/01/22

      696       744,720  

GW Honos Security Corp., 8.75%, 05/15/25(d)

      113       120,910  

Laureate Education, Inc., 8.25%, 05/01/25(d)

      119       125,916  

Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance, Inc., 9.25%, 05/15/23(d)

      3,379       3,729,571  

RBS Global, Inc./Rexnord LLC, 4.88%, 12/15/25

      265       265,000  

Service Corp. International, 4.50%, 11/15/20

      307       310,838  

Sotheby’s, 5.25%, 10/01/22(d)

      380       388,550  
     

 

 

 
        6,130,897  
Diversified Financial Services — 0.5%  

Aircastle Ltd.:

     

5.13%, 03/15/21

      33       34,939  

5.50%, 02/15/22

      337       362,696  

Arrow Global Finance PLC, (3 mo. Euribor + 2.88%), 2.88%, 04/01/25(c)

    EUR       100       118,263  

Banca IFIS SpA, 4.50%, 10/17/27(e)

      100       121,144  

CNH Industrial Finance Europe SA, 1.38%, 05/23/22

      100       122,905  

FBM Finance, Inc., 8.25%, 08/15/21(d)

    USD       350       373,625  

Intrum Justitia AB, (3 mo. Euribor + 2.63%),
2.63%, 07/15/22(c)

    EUR       100       120,667  

Jefferies Finance LLC/JFIN Co-Issuer Corp.(d):

     

7.38%, 04/01/20

    USD       625       642,188  

6.88%, 04/15/22

      516       524,385  

ProGroup AG, 5.13%, 05/01/22

    EUR       130       160,801  

Tempo Acquisition LLC/Tempo Acquisition Finance Corp., 6.75%, 06/01/25(d)

    USD       590       593,688  

UniCredit SpA:

     

6.95%, 10/31/22

    EUR       100       147,811  

(5 year EUR Swap + 4.32%), 3.50%, 01/03/27(h)

      100       130,141  
 

 

 

6    2017 BLACKROCK QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Diversified Financial Services (continued)  

WMG Acquisition Corp., 4.13%, 11/01/24

    EUR       100     $ 125,357  
     

 

 

 
        3,578,610  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.7%  

CenturyLink, Inc.:

     

Series P, 7.60%, 09/15/39

    USD       117       97,110  

Series S, 6.45%, 06/15/21

      1,679       1,670,605  

Series U, 7.65%, 03/15/42

      401       336,840  

Cincinnati Bell, Inc., 7.00%, 07/15/24(d)

      1,054       1,022,380  

Frontier Communications Corp.:

     

7.13%, 01/15/23

      407       284,900  

7.63%, 04/15/24

      579       406,748  

6.88%, 01/15/25

      1,750       1,198,750  

Level 3 Financing, Inc.:

     

5.38%, 08/15/22

      713       718,347  

5.13%, 05/01/23

      1,120       1,120,000  

5.38%, 01/15/24

      646       647,615  

5.38%, 05/01/25

      758       760,122  

5.25%, 03/15/26

      340       333,413  

OTE PLC, 3.50%, 07/09/20

    EUR       100       125,459  

SoftBank Group Corp.:

     

(5 year USD ICE Swap + 4.85%),
6.88%(h)(j)

    USD       935       946,687  

4.75%, 09/19/24

      200       198,978  

4.75%, 07/30/25

    EUR       129       170,874  

Telecom Italia Capital SA:

     

6.38%, 11/15/33

    USD       579       668,745  

6.00%, 09/30/34

      498       555,893  

7.20%, 07/18/36

      397       492,776  

7.72%, 06/04/38

      59       76,134  

Telecom Italia Finance SA, 7.75%, 01/24/33

    EUR       100       185,329  

Telecom Italia SpA:

     

3.25%, 01/16/23

      150       197,736  

5.30%, 05/30/24(d)

    USD       896       955,629  
     

 

 

 
        13,171,070  
Electric Utilities — 0.1%  

AES Corp., 4.88%, 05/15/23

      170       173,556  

NextEra Energy Operating Partners LP,
4.25%, 09/15/24(d)

      169       170,690  

Talen Energy Supply LLC, 6.50%, 06/01/25

      45       38,138  

Viridian Group FinanceCo PLC/Viridian Power and Energy, 4.00%, 09/15/25

    EUR       100       119,061  
     

 

 

 
        501,445  
Electrical Equipment — 0.0%  

Areva SA, 4.88%, 09/23/24

      100       134,248  
    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Electrical Equipment (continued)  

Belden, Inc., 5.50%, 04/15/23

    EUR       3     $ 3,726  
     

 

 

 
        137,974  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.4%  

CDW LLC/CDW Finance Corp.:

     

5.00%, 09/01/23

    USD       101       105,545  

5.50%, 12/01/24

      2,275       2,479,750  

SESI LLC, 7.75%, 09/15/24(d)

      265       272,950  
     

 

 

 
        2,858,245  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.6%  

Ensco PLC, 5.20%, 03/15/25

      55       45,100  

Gates Global LLC/Gates Global Co.:

     

5.75%, 07/15/22

    EUR       100       121,678  

6.00%, 07/15/22(d)

    USD       818       836,650  

Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp.,
5.75%, 02/15/21

      103       103,901  

GrafTech International Ltd., 6.38%, 11/15/20

      150       149,625  

Noble Holding International Ltd.,
4.63%, 03/01/21

      22       20,185  

Pioneer Energy Services Corp.,
6.13%, 03/15/22

      740       599,400  

Precision Drilling Corp., 6.50%, 12/15/21

      4       4,070  

Transocean, Inc.:

     

5.80%, 10/15/22

      186       184,605  

9.00%, 07/15/23(d)

      914       987,120  

6.80%, 03/15/38

      267       212,933  

Trinidad Drilling Ltd., 6.63%, 02/15/25(d)

 

    436       416,380  

Weatherford International Ltd.:

     

7.75%, 06/15/21

      215       219,300  

8.25%, 06/15/23

      240       239,400  

9.88%, 02/15/24(d)

      356       373,355  
     

 

 

 
        4,513,702  
Environmental, Maintenance, & Security Service — 0.1%  

Tervita Escrow Corp., 7.63%, 12/01/21(d)

      1,094       1,107,675  
     

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.6%  

Albertsons Cos. LLC/Safeway, Inc./New Albertson’s, Inc./Albertson’s LLC:

     

6.63%, 06/15/24

      204       192,780  

5.75%, 03/15/25

      54       48,044  

B&M European Value Retail SA, 4.13%, 02/01/22

    GBP       100       139,164  

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA:

     

4.56%, 01/25/23

    EUR       100       134,774  

4.50%, 03/07/24

      200       267,311  

Dollar Tree, Inc.:

     

5.25%, 03/01/20

    USD       69       70,380  

5.75%, 03/01/23

      2,882       3,015,292  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      7  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Food & Staples Retailing (continued)  

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.,
4.63%, 11/01/24(d)

    USD       30     $ 31,013  

Post Holdings, Inc., 5.63%, 01/15/28(d)(i)

      202       203,515  

Rite Aid Corp., 6.13%, 04/01/23(d)

      218       201,650  
     

 

 

 
        4,303,923  
Food Products — 0.6%  

Acosta, Inc., 7.75%, 10/01/22(d)

      272       197,200  

B&G Foods, Inc., 5.25%, 04/01/25

      200       204,480  

Chobani LLC/Chobani Finance Corp., Inc.,
7.50%, 04/15/25(d)

      598       650,325  

JBS USA LLC/JBS USA Finance, Inc.,
5.75%, 06/15/25(d)

      957       934,271  

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.(d):

     

5.75%, 03/15/25

      299       313,800  

5.88%, 09/30/27

      138       144,038  

Post Holdings, Inc.(d):

     

5.50%, 03/01/25

      50       51,938  

5.00%, 08/15/26

      1,548       1,534,455  

5.75%, 03/01/27

      131       133,659  

TreeHouse Foods, Inc., 6.00%, 02/15/24(d)

 

    274       286,673  
     

 

 

 
        4,450,839  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.1%  

Avantor, Inc.:

     

4.75%, 10/01/24

    EUR       100       120,567  

6.00%, 10/01/24(d)

    USD       3,050       3,051,906  

Crimson Merger Sub, Inc., 6.63%, 05/15/22(d)

      2,159       2,137,410  

DJO Finco, Inc./DJO Finance LLC/DJO Finance Corp.,
8.13%, 06/15/21(d)

      1,302       1,232,831  

Mallinckrodt International Finance SA/Mallinckrodt CB LLC(d):

     

4.88%, 04/15/20

      350       337,750  

5.75%, 08/01/22

      1,020       940,950  

5.63%, 10/15/23

      236       207,090  

5.50%, 04/15/25

      125       105,313  
     

 

 

 
        8,133,817  
Health Care Providers & Services — 2.5%  

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.:

     

5.13%, 07/01/22

      708       707,214  

5.63%, 02/15/23

      105       105,525  

6.50%, 03/01/24

      122       125,965  

Amsurg Corp., 5.63%, 07/15/22

      50       51,000  

Centene Corp.:

     

5.63%, 02/15/21

      716       739,270  

4.75%, 05/15/22

      67       69,547  

6.13%, 02/15/24

      311       332,770  

4.75%, 01/15/25

      855       877,059  
    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Health Care Providers & Services (continued)  

CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.:

     

8.00%, 11/15/19

    USD       400     $ 358,500  

7.13%, 07/15/20

      4       3,120  

5.13%, 08/01/21

      463       434,063  

DaVita, Inc., 5.13%, 07/15/24

      517       526,047  

Eagle Holding Co. II LLC, (7.63% Cash or 8.38% PIK),
7.63%, 05/15/22(d)(f)

      342       347,130  

Envision Healthcare Corp., 6.25%, 12/01/24(d)

      115       121,181  

HCA, Inc.:

     

6.50%, 02/15/20

      175       187,906  

5.88%, 03/15/22

      778       843,157  

5.00%, 03/15/24

      804       844,200  

5.88%, 02/15/26

      1,427       1,517,971  

5.25%, 06/15/26

      1,179       1,251,951  

4.50%, 02/15/27

      35       35,490  

5.50%, 06/15/47

      1,593       1,612,912  

HealthSouth Corp., 5.75%, 11/01/24

      179       183,251  

MEDNAX, Inc., 5.25%, 12/01/23(d)

      208       213,200  

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC,
7.13%, 06/01/24(d)

      695       746,256  

Polaris Intermediate Corp.,
(8.50% Cash)12/01/22(d)(f)

      734       763,654  

RegionalCare Hospital Partners Holdings, Inc.,
8.25%, 05/01/23(d)

      169       172,803  

Sterigenics-Nordion Holdings LLC,
6.50%, 05/15/23(d)

      128       134,400  

Surgery Center Holdings, Inc.,
8.88%, 04/15/21(d)

      322       324,415  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.:

     

6.00%, 10/01/20

      1,395       1,464,750  

7.50%, 01/01/22(d)

      254       267,970  

8.13%, 04/01/22

      2,540       2,514,600  

4.63%, 07/15/24(d)

      243       239,355  

THC Escrow Corp. III, 5.13%, 05/01/25(d)

      213       205,013  

Vizient, Inc., 10.38%, 03/01/24(d)

      398       449,740  
     

 

 

 
        18,771,385  
Health Care Technology — 0.0%  

Quintiles IMS, Inc., 3.25%, 03/15/25(d)

    EUR       100       122,832  
     

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.2%  

Burger King France SAS:

     

(3 mo. Euribor + 5.25%), 5.25%, 05/01/23(c)

      100       122,003  

6.00%, 05/01/24

      100       130,332  

Cirsa Funding Luxembourg SA, 5.88%, 05/15/23

      100       124,976  

Codere Finance 2 Luxembourg SA, 6.75%, 11/01/21

      100       125,846  
 

 

 

8    2017 BLACKROCK QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)  

CRC Escrow Issuer LLC/CRC Finco, Inc.,
5.25%, 10/15/25(d)

    USD       794     $ 794,993  

ESH Hospitality, Inc., 5.25%, 05/01/25(d)

      183       186,203  

GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II, Inc.,
5.38%, 04/15/26

      99       106,858  

Golden Nugget, Inc., 6.75%, 10/15/24(d)

      60       61,275  

Jacobs Entertainment, Inc.,
7.88%, 02/01/24(d)

      165       177,375  

KFC Holding Co./Pizza Hut Holdings LLC/Taco Bell of America LLC(d):

     

5.00%, 06/01/24

      66       69,135  

5.25%, 06/01/26

      234       247,455  

4.75%, 06/01/27

      223       228,218  

MGM Resorts International:

     

5.25%, 03/31/20

      1,261       1,327,202  

6.75%, 10/01/20

      275       300,696  

6.63%, 12/15/21

      1,352       1,504,086  

4.63%, 09/01/26

      987       1,006,740  

New Red Finance, Inc.(d):

     

4.25%, 05/15/24

      7       7,011  

5.00%, 10/15/25

      2,935       3,006,541  

Sabre GLBL, Inc., 5.25%, 11/15/23(d)

      221       229,288  

Scientific Games International, Inc.:

     

7.00%, 01/01/22(d)

      2,714       2,863,270  

10.00%, 12/01/22

      2,189       2,410,636  

Six Flags Entertainment Corp.(d):

     

4.88%, 07/31/24

      925       941,187  

5.50%, 04/15/27

      15       15,525  

Station Casinos LLC, 5.00%, 10/01/25(d)

      572       571,788  

Unique Pub Finance Co. PLC, Series A4,
5.66%, 06/30/27

    GBP       63       95,836  

Vue International Bidco PLC,
7.88%, 07/15/20

      147       202,819  
     

 

 

 
        16,857,294  
Household Durables — 0.6%  

Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc./Brookfield Residential US Corp., 6.13%, 07/01/22(d)

    USD       285       297,554  

CalAtlantic Group, Inc.:

     

8.38%, 01/15/21

      852       985,125  

5.25%, 06/01/26

      193       202,650  

K Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.(d):

     

10.00%, 07/15/22

      147       160,230  

10.50%, 07/15/24

      131       145,083  

Lennar Corp.:

     

4.75%, 11/15/22

      118       124,638  

4.88%, 12/15/23

      265       278,250  

4.75%, 11/29/27(d)

      605       618,612  
    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Household Durables (continued)  

Mattamy Group Corp., 6.50%, 10/01/25(d)

    USD       90     $ 94,275  

Ryland Group, Inc., 6.63%, 05/01/20

      130       141,375  

Tempur Sealy International, Inc., 5.50%, 06/15/26

      227       232,391  

Toll Brothers Finance Corp., 6.75%, 11/01/19

      110       118,250  

TRI Pointe Group, Inc., 4.88%, 07/01/21

      525       549,938  

TRI Pointe Group, Inc./TRI Pointe Homes, Inc.,
4.38%, 06/15/19

      435       443,700  
     

 

 

 
        4,392,071  
Household Products — 0.0%  

Diamond BC BV, 5.63%, 08/15/25

    EUR       102       123,517  
     

 

 

 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.8%  

AES Corp., 6.00%, 05/15/26

    USD       201       218,085  

Calpine Corp.:

     

5.50%, 02/01/24

      128       123,680  

5.25%, 06/01/26(d)

      948       958,665  

Dynegy, Inc.:

     

7.38%, 11/01/22

      231       246,881  

8.00%, 01/15/25(d)

      348       382,800  

8.13%, 01/30/26(d)

      217       241,413  

NRG Energy, Inc.:

     

6.63%, 01/15/27

      1,358       1,463,245  

5.75% 01/15/28

      578       578,000  

NRG Yield Operating LLC, 5.38%, 08/15/24

 

    341       353,787  

QEP Resources, Inc., 5.38%, 10/01/22

      515       527,231  

TerraForm Power Operating LLC(d):

     

4.25%, 01/31/23(i)

      222       222,555  

6.38%, 02/01/23(k)

      205       216,070  

5.00%, 01/31/28(i)

      222       222,833  
     

 

 

 
        5,755,245  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.3%  

Colfax Corp., 3.25%, 05/15/25

    EUR       100       122,685  

Vertiv Group Corp., 9.25%, 10/15/24(d)

    USD       1,747       1,897,679  
     

 

 

 
        2,020,364  
Insurance — 0.5%  

Ardonagh Midco 3 PLC, 8.38%, 07/15/23

    GBP       100       139,297  

Assicurazioni Generali SpA(h):

     

(3 mo. Euribor + 7.11%), 7.75%, 12/12/42

    EUR       100       153,840  

(3 mo. Euribor + 5.35%), 5.50%, 10/27/47

 

    100       143,366  

Groupama SA, 6.00%, 01/23/27

      100       149,971  

HUB International Ltd., 7.88%, 10/01/21(d)

    USD       1,138       1,183,520  

Old Mutual PLC, 8.00%, 06/03/21

    GBP       100       156,666  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      9  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Insurance (continued)  

USIS Merger Sub, Inc., 6.88%, 05/01/25(d)

    USD       23     $ 23,287  

Wayne Merger Sub LLC, 8.25%, 08/01/23(d)

      1,936       2,027,960  
   

 

 

 
        3,977,907  
Internet Software & Services — 0.3%  

Equinix, Inc., 5.88%, 01/15/26

      997       1,081,745  

Netflix, Inc.:

     

4.38%, 11/15/26(d)

      49       48,081  

3.63%, 05/15/27

    EUR       100       119,620  

4.88%, 04/15/28(d)

    USD       450       444,938  

Symantec Corp., 5.00%, 04/15/25(d)

      422       442,889  

United Group BV, 4.38%, 07/01/22

    EUR       126       156,345  
   

 

 

 
        2,293,618  
IT Services — 1.5%  

Ceridian HCM Holding, Inc., 11.00%, 03/15/21(d)

    USD       795       836,737  

First Data Corp.(d):

     

7.00%, 12/01/23

      3,353       3,554,180  

5.75%, 01/15/24

      5,296       5,494,600  

Gartner, Inc., 5.13%, 04/01/25(d)

      320       334,400  

WEX, Inc., 4.75%, 02/01/23(d)

      826       844,585  
   

 

 

 
        11,064,502  
Machinery — 0.2%  

SPX FLOW, Inc.(d):

     

5.63%, 08/15/24

      359       377,848  

5.88%, 08/15/26

      359       380,540  

Terex Corp., 5.63%, 02/01/25(d)

      940       992,287  
   

 

 

 
        1,750,675  
Media — 7.3%  

Altice Financing SA, 7.50%, 05/15/26(d)

      594       620,730  

Altice Luxembourg SA:

     

7.75%, 05/15/22(d)

      1,690       1,609,725  

6.25%, 02/15/25

    EUR       100       111,876  

Altice US Finance I Corp.(d):

     

5.38%, 07/15/23

    USD       2,707       2,754,372  

5.50%, 05/15/26

      637       644,962  

AMC Networks, Inc.:

     

5.00%, 04/01/24

      259       262,238  

4.75%, 08/01/25

      528       524,040  

Cablevision Systems Corp., 8.00%, 04/15/20

 

    502       537,140  

CBS Radio, Inc., 7.25%, 11/01/24(d)(m)

      159       167,348  

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.:

     

5.13%, 02/15/23

      380       389,500  

4.00%, 03/01/23(d)

      448       447,720  

5.13%, 05/01/27(d)

      4,312       4,271,575  

5.00%, 02/01/28(d)

      983       963,340  
Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Media (continued)  

Cequel Communications Holdings I LLC/Cequel Capital Corp.(d):

     

6.38%, 09/15/20

    USD       294     $ 298,042  

5.13%, 12/15/21

      1,670       1,671,536  

7.75%, 07/15/25

      2,044       2,176,860  

Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital, 4.91%, 07/23/25

      1,300       1,373,355  

Clear Channel International BV, 8.75%, 12/15/20(d)

      762       786,765  

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.:

     

6.50%, 11/15/22

      6,604       6,689,279  

Series B, 7.63%, 03/15/20

      1,993       1,973,070  

CSC Holdings LLC:

     

10.13%, 01/15/23(d)

      1,250       1,410,937  

5.25%, 06/01/24

      996       970,789  

6.63%, 10/15/25(d)

      400       431,000  

10.88%, 10/15/25(d)

      3,849       4,549,037  

DISH DBS Corp.:

     

5.88%, 07/15/22

      1,537       1,581,189  

5.00%, 03/15/23

      281       274,326  

5.88%, 11/15/24

      152       153,140  

7.75%, 07/01/26

      2,068       2,230,855  

eircom Finance DAC, 4.50%, 05/31/22

    EUR       100       123,453  

Hughes Satellite Systems Corp.:

     

5.25%, 08/01/26

    USD       1,433       1,454,581  

6.63%, 08/01/26

      381       398,621  

iHeartCommunications, Inc.:

     

9.00%, 12/15/19

      492       365,310  

9.00%, 03/01/21

      160       114,800  

10.63%, 03/15/23

      740       527,250  

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA:

     

5.50%, 08/01/23

      23       18,831  

9.75%, 07/15/25(d)

      485       469,844  

LG Finance Co. Corp., 5.88%, 11/01/24(d)

 

    231       243,994  

LGE HoldCo VI BV, 7.13%, 05/15/24

    EUR       100       131,868  

MDC Partners, Inc., 6.50%, 05/01/24(d)

    USD       490       492,450  

Midcontinent Communications/Midcontinent Finance Corp., 6.88%, 08/15/23(d)

      463       491,937  

NAI Entertainment Holdings/NAI Entertainment Holdings Finance Corp., 5.00%, 08/01/18(d)

      538       538,000  

Numericable Group SA, 5.38%, 05/15/22

    EUR       100       121,204  

Outfront Media Capital LLC/Outfront Media Capital Corp., 5.25%, 02/15/22

    USD       130       133,656  

SFR Group SA(d):

     

6.00%, 05/15/22

      1,192       1,201,691  

7.38%, 05/01/26

      2,109       2,124,564  
 

 

 

10    2017 BLACKROCK QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Media (continued)  

Sirius XM Radio, Inc., 4.63%, 05/15/23(d)

    USD       60     $ 61,650  

Sterling Entertainment Corp., 9.75%, 12/15/19(a)

      1,300       1,287,000  

TEGNA, Inc.:

     

5.13%, 10/15/19

      115       116,581  

5.50%, 09/15/24(d)

      172       179,095  

Telenet Finance Luxembourg Notes Sarl, 5.50%, 03/01/28(d)

      200       200,000  

Telesat Canada/Telesat LLC, 8.88%, 11/15/24(d)

      399       445,882  

Tribune Media Co., 5.88%, 07/15/22

      448       456,960  

Unitymedia Hessen GmbH & Co. KG/Unitymedia NRW GmbH:

     

4.00%, 01/15/25

    EUR       198       249,315  

5.00%, 01/15/25(d)

    USD       400       413,500  

Univision Communications, Inc., 5.13%, 05/15/23(d)

      381       381,000  

Videotron Ltd., 5.13%, 04/15/27(d)

      632       662,020  

Virgin Media Finance PLC, 5.75%, 01/15/25(d)

      967       988,757  

Virgin Media Receivables Financing Notes I DAC, 5.50%, 09/15/24

    GBP       200       276,230  

Virgin Media Secured Finance PLC:

     

4.88%, 01/15/27

      100       138,824  

6.25%, 03/28/29

      233       340,334  
     

 

 

 
        55,023,948  
Metals & Mining — 4.0%  

Alcoa Nederland Holding BV, 7.00%, 09/30/26(d)

    USD       270       305,100  

ArcelorMittal, 3.13%, 01/14/22

    EUR       100       130,196  

Big River Steel LLC/BRS Finance Corp., 7.25%, 09/01/25(d)

    USD       317       336,813  

Constellium NV(d):

     

5.75%, 05/15/24

      250       258,125  

5.88%, 02/15/26

      926       959,660  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.(d):

     

7.00%, 02/15/21

      730       757,375  

7.25%, 05/15/22

      235       243,813  

FMG Resources August 2006 Property Ltd., 9.75%, 03/01/22(d)

      553       615,212  

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.:

     

2.38%, 03/15/18

      2,868       2,864,415  

3.10%, 03/15/20

      430       430,537  

4.00%, 11/14/21

      804       808,422  

3.55%, 03/01/22

      1,039       1,024,714  

3.88%, 03/15/23

      3,983       3,937,594  

5.40%, 11/14/34

      1,271       1,236,047  

5.45%, 03/15/43

      1,354       1,282,509  

Grinding Media, Inc./Moly-Cop AltaSteel Ltd., 7.38%, 12/15/23(d)

      542       582,650  
Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Metals & Mining (continued)  

Joseph T Ryerson & Son, Inc., 11.00%, 05/15/22(d)

    USD       482     $ 543,214  

Kinross Gold Corp., 6.88%, 09/01/41

      180       204,525  

Novelis Corp.(d):

     

6.25%, 08/15/24

      2,118       2,229,195  

5.88%, 09/30/26

      2,470       2,559,537  

Nyrstar Netherlands Holdings BV, 6.88%, 03/15/24

    EUR       100       126,202  

Ovako AB, 5.00%, 10/05/22

      100       121,328  

Steel Dynamics, Inc.:

     

5.13%, 10/01/21

    USD       790       810,737  

5.25%, 04/15/23

      295       303,939  

5.50%, 10/01/24

      138       146,887  

4.13%, 09/15/25(d)

      243       243,608  

5.00%, 12/15/26

      35       36,991  

Teck Resources Ltd.:

     

3.75%, 02/01/23

      1,348       1,361,480  

8.50%, 06/01/24(d)

      1,257       1,426,695  

6.13%, 10/01/35

      181       203,625  

6.00%, 08/15/40

      811       900,210  

5.20%, 03/01/42

      1,118       1,106,820  

5.40%, 02/01/43

      977       981,885  

thyssenKrupp AG, 1.38%, 03/03/22

    EUR       75       90,779  

United States Steel Corp.:

     

8.38%, 07/01/21(d)

    USD       624       681,720  

6.88%, 08/15/25

      146       151,081  
     

 

 

 
        30,003,640  
Multi-Utilities — 0.2%  

NGL Energy Partners LP/NGL Energy Finance Corp.:

     

6.88%, 10/15/21

      390       395,850  

7.50%, 11/01/23

      780       801,450  
     

 

 

 
        1,197,300  
Multiline Retail — 0.1%  

Neiman Marcus Group Ltd.(d):

     

8.00%, 10/15/21

      1,035       589,950  

(8.75% Cash or 9.50% PIK), 8.75%, 10/15/21(f)

      157       84,848  
     

 

 

 
        674,798  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 6.4%  

Andeavor Logistics LP, Series A, 6.88%(e)(i)(j)

      402       406,945  

Andeavor Logistics LP/Tesoro Logistics Finance Corp.:

     

6.13%, 10/15/21

      81       83,481  

6.25%, 10/15/22

      833       884,896  

Ascent Resources Utica Holdings LLC/ARU Finance Corp., 10.00%, 04/01/22(d)

      548       595,950  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      11  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)  

California Resources Corp., 8.00%, 12/15/22(d)

    USD       391     $ 289,340  

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc., 6.25%, 04/15/23

      180       184,275  

Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC:

     

7.00%, 06/30/24

      442       501,670  

5.88%, 03/31/25

      1,250       1,354,687  

5.13%, 06/30/27(d)

      1,062       1,095,187  

Cheniere Energy Partners LP,
5.25%, 10/01/25(d)

      425       436,156  

Chesapeake Energy Corp.(d):

     

8.00%, 12/15/22

      95       101,413  

8.00%, 01/15/25

      378       376,110  

8.00%, 06/15/27

      874       837,117  

CONSOL Energy, Inc.:

     

5.88%, 04/15/22

      6,328       6,470,380  

8.00%, 04/01/23

      40       42,700  

Continental Resources, Inc., 3.80%, 06/01/24

      598       589,030  

Covey Park Energy LLC/Covey Park Finance Corp., 7.50%, 05/15/25(d)

      424       443,080  

Crestwood Midstream Partners LP/Crestwood Midstream Finance Corp., 6.25%, 04/01/23

      90       93,150  

CrownRock LP/CrownRock Finance, Inc., 5.63%, 10/15/25(d)

      750       753,750  

DCP Midstream LLC(d):

     

4.75%, 09/30/21

      745       765,487  

6.45%, 11/03/36

      250       267,500  

6.75%, 09/15/37

      426       455,820  

DEA Finance SA, 7.50%, 10/15/22

    EUR       100       132,638  

Denbury Resources, Inc.:

     

5.50%, 05/01/22

    USD       690       448,500  

4.63%, 07/15/23

      188       113,740  

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc., 7.88%, 08/15/25

      118       123,015  

Eclipse Resources Corp., 8.88%, 07/15/23

      140       143,150  

Endeavor Energy Resources LP/EER Finance, Inc., 5.50%, 01/30/26(d)(i)

      152       153,900  

Energy Transfer Equity LP:

     

7.50%, 10/15/20

      200       222,000  

4.25%, 03/15/23

      221       222,658  

5.88%, 01/15/24

      838       898,755  

5.50%, 06/01/27

      686       715,155  

EP Energy LLC/Everest Acquisition Finance, Inc.:

     

9.38%, 05/01/20

      493       364,820  

8.00%, 11/29/24(d)

      499       499,000  
Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)  

Extraction Oil & Gas Holdings LLC/Extraction Finance Corp., 7.88%, 07/15/21(d)

    USD       856     $ 905,220  

Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc., 7.38%, 05/15/24(d)

      102       108,630  

Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp., 6.50%, 10/01/25

      184       189,060  

Great Western Petroleum LLC/Great Western Finance, Inc., 9.00%, 09/30/21(d)

      149       153,843  

Gulfport Energy Corp.:

     

6.63%, 05/01/23

      215       219,838  

6.00%, 10/15/24

      192       192,720  

6.38%, 05/15/25

      212       213,590  

Halcon Resources Corp., 6.75%, 02/15/25(d)

      661       670,915  

Hess Infrastructure Partners LP/Hess Infrastructure Partners Finance Corp., 5.63%, 02/15/26(d)

      522       535,702  

MEG Energy Corp.(d):

     

6.38%, 01/30/23

      54       49,478  

7.00%, 03/31/24

      607       546,300  

6.50%, 01/15/25

      1,812       1,775,760  

Murphy Oil Corp.:

     

6.88%, 08/15/24

      673       724,316  

5.88%, 12/01/42

      83       81,755  

NGPL PipeCo LLC(d):

     

4.38%, 08/15/22

      240       246,000  

4.88%, 08/15/27

      2       2,076  

7.77%, 12/15/37

      1,177       1,453,595  

Noble Holding International Ltd., 7.75%, 01/15/24

      378       326,970  

Oasis Petroleum, Inc.:

     

6.50%, 11/01/21

      268       271,350  

6.88%, 03/15/22

      227       231,256  

6.88%, 01/15/23

      65       66,219  

ONEOK, Inc., 6.00%, 06/15/35

      165       186,078  

Paramount Resources Ltd.,
6.88%, 06/30/23(d)

      953       1,013,754  

Parker Drilling Co., 7.50%, 08/01/20

      195       178,425  

Parsley Energy LLC/Parsley Finance Corp.(d):

 

   

5.38%, 01/15/25

      315       318,937  

5.63%, 10/15/27

      310       316,780  

Petroleos Mexicanos, 5.38%, 03/13/22(d)

 

    102       109,038  

Precision Drilling Corp., 7.75%, 12/15/23

      150       154,875  

QEP Resources, Inc., 5.25%, 05/01/23

      95       96,188  

Range Resources Corp.:

     

5.88%, 07/01/22

      1,015       1,042,912  

4.88%, 05/15/25

      328       319,800  
 

 

 

12    2017 BLACKROCK QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)  

Resolute Energy Corp., 8.50%, 05/01/20

    USD       639     $ 649,384  

Rockies Express Pipeline LLC(d):

     

6.85%, 07/15/18

      99       100,856  

Rockies Express Pipeline LLC(d):

     

6.00%, 01/15/19

      26       26,837  

5.63%, 04/15/20

      140       146,650  

6.88%, 04/15/40

      564       635,205  

Rowan Cos., Inc.:

     

4.88%, 06/01/22

      95       90,695  

4.75%, 01/15/24

      80       71,200  

7.38%, 06/15/25

      1,221       1,227,105  

RSP Permian, Inc.:

     

6.63%, 10/01/22

      356       374,690  

5.25%, 01/15/25

      408       416,160  

Sanchez Energy Corp.:

     

7.75%, 06/15/21

      672       636,720  

6.13%, 01/15/23

      1,593       1,344,094  

SESI LLC, 7.13%, 12/15/21

      180       183,825  

Seven Generations Energy Ltd.,
5.38%, 09/30/25(d)

      521       523,605  

SM Energy Co.:

     

6.50%, 11/15/21

      300       302,250  

6.50%, 01/01/23

      34       34,340  

5.00%, 01/15/24

      931       891,432  

5.63%, 06/01/25

      16       15,400  

Southwestern Energy Co.:

     

6.70%, 01/23/25

      90       93,600  

7.50%, 04/01/26

      371       396,970  

7.75%, 10/01/27

      182       194,740  

Tallgrass Energy Partners LP/Tallgrass
Energy Finance Corp.(d):

     

5.50%, 09/15/24

      146       151,475  

5.50%, 01/15/28

      621       639,630  

Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp.:

     

5.13%, 02/01/25

      248       253,580  

5.38%, 02/01/27

      2       2,050  

5.00%, 01/15/28(d)

      882       875,385  

Weatherford International LLC,
6.80%, 06/15/37

      157       126,385  

Weatherford International Ltd.:

     

6.50%, 08/01/36

      502       401,600  

7.00%, 03/15/38

      180       149,850  

5.95%, 04/15/42

      189       144,113  

Whiting Petroleum Corp., 5.00%, 03/15/19

      794       799,955  

Williams Cos., Inc., 5.75%, 06/24/44

      1,453       1,531,099  

WPX Energy, Inc.:

     

7.50%, 08/01/20

      77       83,545  

6.00%, 01/15/22

      521       536,630  

8.25%, 08/01/23

      400       451,500  
    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)  

WPX Energy, Inc. (continued):

     

5.25%, 09/15/24

    USD       158     $ 155,235  
     

 

 

 
        48,424,625  
Pharmaceuticals — 1.2%  

Ephios Bondco PLC, 6.25%, 07/01/22

    EUR       100       126,166  

Ephios Holdco II PLC, 8.25%, 07/01/23

      100       129,886  

inVentiv Group Holdings, Inc./inVentiv Health, Inc./inVentiv Health Clinical, Inc.,
7.50%, 10/01/24(d)

    USD       553       606,917  

Jaguar Holding Co. II/Pharmaceutical Product Development LLC,
6.38%, 08/01/23(d)

      2,123       2,186,690  

Nidda Healthcare Holding AG, 3.50%, 09/30/24

    EUR       100       121,405  

Team Health Holdings, Inc., 6.38%, 02/01/25(d)

    USD       400       362,000  

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance
Netherlands II BV,
1.25%, 03/31/23

    EUR       100       109,398  

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.(d):

     

7.50%, 07/15/21

    USD       616       608,300  

6.75%, 08/15/21

      457       446,718  

5.63%, 12/01/21

      330       306,900  

6.50%, 03/15/22

      742       779,100  

7.25%, 07/15/22

      1,087       1,059,825  

7.00%, 03/15/24

      1,166       1,249,077  

6.13%, 04/15/25

      217       186,078  

5.50%, 11/01/25

      811       821,219  
     

 

 

 
        9,099,679  
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.5%  

MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP/MGP Finance Co-Issuer, Inc.:

     

5.63%, 05/01/24

      1,453       1,554,710  

4.50%, 09/01/26

      1,279       1,288,592  

NH Hotel Group SA, 3.75%, 10/01/23

    EUR       129       162,509  

Starwood Property Trust, Inc.:

     

5.00%, 12/15/21

    USD       638       664,318  

4.75%, 03/15/25(d)(i)

      98       97,755  
     

 

 

 
        3,767,884  
Real Estate Management & Development — 0.4%  

ADLER Real Estate AG:

     

4.75%, 04/08/20

    EUR       100       124,333  

2.13%, 02/06/24

      100       117,812  

Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC, 5.75%, 12/01/25(d)

    USD       218       224,540  

Howard Hughes Corp., 5.38%, 03/15/25(d)

      283       290,783  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      13  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Real Estate Management & Development (continued)  

Realogy Group LLC/Realogy Co-Issuer
Corp.(d):

     

4.50%, 04/15/19

    USD       391     $ 397,842  

5.25%, 12/01/21

      487       506,480  

4.88%, 06/01/23

      985       992,387  

RESIDOMO Sro, 3.38%, 10/15/24

    EUR       100       122,001  

Rialto Holdings LLC/Rialto Corp.,
7.00%, 12/01/18(d)

    USD       245       245,613  
     

 

 

 
        3,021,791  
Road & Rail — 0.5%  

Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance, Inc.,
5.13%, 06/01/22(d)

      1,335       1,343,344  

EC Finance PLC, 2.38%, 11/15/22

    EUR       100       122,023  

Herc Rentals, Inc.(d):

     

7.50%, 06/01/22

    USD       144       155,160  

7.75%, 06/01/24

      228       249,683  

Hertz Corp., 7.63%, 06/01/22(d)

      378       390,179  

Loxam SAS:

     

3.50%, 05/03/23

    EUR       100       124,351  

6.00%, 04/15/25

      100       129,985  

United Rentals North America, Inc.:

     

4.63%, 07/15/23

    USD       114       117,420  

5.50%, 07/15/25

      2       2,127  

4.63%, 10/15/25

      492       501,348  

4.88%, 01/15/28

      203       205,284  

Watco Cos. LLC/Watco Finance Corp.,
6.38%, 04/01/23(d)

      350       362,250  
     

 

 

 
        3,703,154  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.1%  

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.,
7.50%, 08/15/22

      200       226,000  

Micron Technology, Inc., 5.50%, 02/01/25

      24       25,380  

Microsemi Corp., 9.13%, 04/15/23(d)

      35       39,594  

Sensata Technologies BV(d):

     

5.63%, 11/01/24

      220       243,100  

5.00%, 10/01/25

      288       307,440  

Sensata Technologies UK Financing Co. PLC,
6.25%, 02/15/26(d)

      200       217,500  
     

 

 

 
        1,059,014  
Software — 2.3%  

BMC Software Finance, Inc.,
8.13%, 07/15/21(d)

      791       800,642  

Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories Inc/Greeneden Lux 3 Sarl/Greeneden US Holdings LLC,
10.00%, 11/30/24(d)

      523       585,760  
    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Software (continued)  

Infor Software Parent LLC/Infor Software Parent, Inc., (7.13% Cash or 7.88% PIK),
7.13%, 05/01/21(d)(f)

    USD       1,666     $ 1,707,650  

Infor US, Inc., 6.50%, 05/15/22

      3,047       3,138,410  

Informatica LLC, 7.13%, 07/15/23(d)

      1,059       1,080,180  

Nuance Communications, Inc.:

     

5.38%, 08/15/20(d)

      437       443,118  

6.00%, 07/01/24

      835       893,450  

PTC, Inc., 6.00%, 05/15/24

      197       211,283  

Rackspace Hosting, Inc., 8.63%, 11/15/24(d)

      405       434,363  

RP Crown Parent LLC, 7.38%, 10/15/24(d)

      145       151,163  

Solera LLC/Solera Finance, Inc.,
10.50%, 03/01/24(d)

      2,690       3,026,250  

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.,
5.88%, 07/15/23

      1,485       1,570,387  

TIBCO Software, Inc., 11.38%, 12/01/21(d)

      1,466       1,594,275  

Veritas US, Inc./Veritas Bermuda Ltd.(d):

     

7.50%, 02/01/23

      369       387,450  

10.50%, 02/01/24

      1,279       1,339,752  
     

 

 

 
        17,364,133  
Specialty Retail — 0.3%  

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.,
6.00%, 12/15/24

      1,041       1,085,242  

Group 1 Automotive, Inc., 5.25%, 12/15/23(d)

      69       71,415  

JC Penney Corp., Inc.:

     

8.13%, 10/01/19

      111       112,388  

7.40%, 04/01/37

      115       72,450  

L Brands, Inc., 6.88%, 11/01/35

      208       210,080  

Masaria Investments SAU, 5.00%, 09/15/24

    EUR       100       120,721  

Penske Automotive Group, Inc.,
5.75%, 10/01/22

    USD       288       296,820  

PetSmart, Inc., 5.88%, 06/01/25(d)

      401       344,860  

Shop Direct Funding PLC, 7.75%, 11/15/22

    GBP       100       128,157  
     

 

 

 
        2,442,133  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.6%  

Dell International LLC/EMC Corp.(d):

     

7.13%, 06/15/24

    USD       1,277       1,388,163  

6.02%, 06/15/26

      245       269,331  

8.35%, 07/15/46

      385       484,439  

Western Digital Corp.:

     

7.38%, 04/01/23(d)

      521       566,587  
 

 

 

14    2017 BLACKROCK QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (continued)  

Western Digital Corp. (continued):

     

10.50%, 04/01/24

    USD       1,315     $ 1,527,372  
     

 

 

 
        4,235,892  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.0%  

BiSoho SAS, 5.88%, 05/01/23

    EUR       54       69,673  

Levi Strauss & Co., 3.38%, 03/15/27

      100       125,422  
     

 

 

 
        195,095  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.1%  

Jerrold Finco PLC, 6.25%, 09/15/21

    GBP       100       139,865  

Ladder Capital Finance Holdings
LLLP/Ladder Capital Finance Corp.(d):

     

5.25%, 03/15/22

    USD       225       232,313  

5.25%, 10/01/25

      316       315,210  
     

 

 

 
        687,388  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.0%  

Ashtead Capital, Inc., 5.63%, 10/01/24(d)

      320       339,200  
     

 

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure — 0.1%  

CMA CGM SA, 7.75%, 01/15/21

    EUR       100       124,313  

Swissport Financing Sarl:

     

6.75%, 12/15/21

      100       124,976  

9.75%, 12/15/22

      100       127,644  

WFS Global Holding SAS, 9.50%, 07/15/22

      100       127,654  
     

 

 

 
        504,587  
Utilities — 0.0%  

ContourGlobal Power Holdings SA,
5.13%, 06/15/21

      100       124,307  
     

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 2.7%  

Crown Castle Towers LLC,
6.11%, 01/15/40(d)

    USD       375       397,048  

CyrusOne LP/CyrusOne Finance Corp.(d):

 

   

5.00%, 03/15/24

      797       828,880  

5.38%, 03/15/27

      62       64,945  

Digicel Group Ltd., 7.13%, 04/01/22(d)

      485       438,086  

Digicel Ltd., 6.00%, 04/15/21(d)

      2,228       2,149,240  

Equinix, Inc., 2.88%, 10/01/25

    EUR       100       121,432  

GEO Group, Inc.:

     

5.88%, 01/15/22

    USD       90       92,813  

5.13%, 04/01/23

      373       374,865  

5.88%, 10/15/24

      608       629,280  

6.00%, 04/15/26

      100       103,750  

Iron Mountain, Inc., 3.00%, 01/15/25

    EUR       100       121,939  

Matterhorn Telecom SA:

     

3.88%, 05/01/22

      100       121,828  

4.00%, 11/15/27

      100       117,816  
    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Wireless Telecommunication Services (continued)  

Radiate Holdco
LLC/Radiate Finance, Inc.,
6.63%, 02/15/25(d)

    USD       380     $ 363,850  

SBA Communication Corp.,
4.00%, 10/01/22(d)

      499       501,495  

Sprint Capital Corp.:

     

6.90%, 05/01/19

      270       283,838  

6.88%, 11/15/28

      1,748       1,793,885  

8.75%, 03/15/32

      262       303,265  

Sprint Communications, Inc.,
7.00%, 03/01/20(d)

      402       430,642  

Sprint Corp.:

     

7.88%, 09/15/23

      1,079       1,162,622  

7.13%, 06/15/24

      4,437       4,617,275  

7.63%, 02/15/25

      745       791,190  

Sprint Spectrum Co. LLC/Sprint Spectrum Co. II LLC/Sprint Spectrum Co. III LLC, 3.36%, 03/20/23(d)

      1,629       1,641,706  

T-Mobile USA, Inc.:

     

6.13%, 01/15/22

      81       83,835  

6.00%, 03/01/23

      653       685,111  

6.63%, 04/01/23

      362       378,742  

6.84%, 04/28/23

      85       89,250  

6.50%, 01/15/24

      584       619,770  

Uniti Group LP/Uniti Group Finance, Inc./CSL Capital LLC, 8.25%, 10/15/23

      745       713,337  

VICI Properties 1 LLC/VICI FC, Inc., 8.00%, 10/15/23

      406       452,149  

Wind Tre SpA, 5.00%, 01/20/26(d)

      200       191,580  
     

 

 

 
        20,665,464  
     

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds — 54.6%
(Cost — $410,240,242)

 

    412,906,730  
     

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests — 80.5%

 

Aerospace & Defense — 1.5%  

Accudyne Industries LLC, 2017 Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.75% 1.00% Floor),
5.08%, 08/02/24(l)

      3,305       3,318,782  

DAE Aviation Holdings, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 07/07/22(m)

      490       492,818  

Engility Corp.(l):

     

Term Loan B1, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%),
4.10%, 08/12/20

      221       221,722  

Term Loan B2, (PRIME + 2.50%),
4.60%, 08/12/23

      394       397,425  

GTCR Valor Companies, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B1,
(3 mo. LIBOR + 4.25%),
5.58%, 06/16/23(l)

      1,755       1,775,849  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      15  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Aerospace & Defense (continued)  

TransDigm, Inc.(l):

     

2017 Extended Term Loan F, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.33%, 05/14/22

    USD       3,563     $ 3,563,491  

2017 Term Loan E, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.33%, 05/14/22

      1,682       1,685,765  
     

 

 

 
        11,455,852  
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.5%  

Avolon TLB Borrower 1 (Luxembourg) Sarl, Term Loan B2, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.53%, 04/03/22(l)

      1,796       1,795,572  

CEVA Group PLC, Letter of Credit, (3 mo. LIBOR + 5.50%), 6.50%, 03/19/21(a)(l)

      701       652,386  

CEVA Intercompany BV, Dutch Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 5.50% 1.00% Floor), 6.88%, 03/19/21(l)

      715       679,235  

CEVA Logistics Canada ULC, Canadian Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 5.50% 1.00% Floor), 6.88%, 03/19/21(l)

      123       116,958  

CEVA Logistics US Holdings, Inc., Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 5.50% 1.00% Floor), 6.88%, 03/19/21(l)

      942       895,321  
     

 

 

 
        4,139,472  
Airlines — 0.0%  

Northwest Airlines, Inc., Term Loan, (6 mo. LIBOR + 1.23%), 2.68%, 09/10/18(a)(l)

      151       148,959  
     

 

 

 
Auto Components — 0.8%  

Boing US Holdco Inc., 2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.88%, 10/03/24(a)(l)

      1,720       1,732,900  

Dayco Products LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 5.00%),
6.48%, 05/19/23(a)(l)

      950       957,352  

FPC Holdings, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.00%), 5.33%, 11/19/19(l)

      1,118       1,107,595  

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 2nd Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%), 3.27%, 04/30/19(l)

      401       402,004  
Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Auto Components (continued)  

USI, Inc., 2017 Repriced Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%), 4.35%, 05/16/24(l)

    USD       1,680     $ 1,671,600  
     

 

 

 
        5,871,451  
Automobiles — 0.1%  

CH Hold Corp., 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.35%, 02/01/24(l)

      891       897,242  
     

 

 

 
Banks — 0.1%  

Capri Finance LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25%), 4.63%, 11/01/24(l)

      470       468,534  
     

 

 

 
Building Materials — 0.2%  

Allied Universal HoldCo LLC, 2015 Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.75% 1.00% Floor), 5.08%, 07/28/22(l)

      689       684,952  

USAGM HoldCo LLC, 2015 2nd Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 8.50% 1.00% Floor), 9.88%, 07/28/23(l)

      789       784,468  
     

 

 

 
        1,469,420  
Building Products — 1.1%  

Continental Building Products LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%), 3.83%, 08/18/23(l)

      1,417       1,420,034  

CPG International Inc., 2017 Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.75% 1.00% Floor), 5.08%, 05/03/24(l)

      1,957       1,961,554  

Jeld-Wen, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.33%, 07/01/22(l)

      1,646       1,656,406  

Ply Gem Industries, Inc., Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.33%, 02/01/21(l)

      1,017       1,023,621  

Wilsonart LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.59%, 12/19/23(l)

      2,626       2,644,131  
     

 

 

 
        8,705,746  
Capital Markets — 0.8%  

Duff & Phelps Corp., 2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.61%, 10/14/24(l)

      980       980,304  

FinCo I LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 2.75%, 06/14/22(l)

      1,360       1,374,280  

Greenhill & Co., Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.75% 1.00% Floor), 5.11%, 10/12/22(l)

      1,448       1,453,430  
 

 

 

16    2017 BLACKROCK QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Capital Markets (continued)  

RPI Finance Trust, Term Loan B6, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%), 3.33%, 03/27/23(l)

    USD       2,067     $ 2,075,928  
     

 

 

 
        5,883,942  
Chemicals — 2.2%  

Alpha 3 BV, 2017 Term Loan B1, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.33%, 01/31/24(l)

      713       717,371  

Axalta Coating Systems US Holdings, Inc., Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%), 3.33%, 06/01/24(l)

      2,147       2,152,945  

CeramTec Acquisition Corp., Term Loan B2, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 4.23%, 08/30/20(l)

      71       71,041  

Charter NEX US Holdings, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.60%, 05/16/24(l)

      1,352       1,357,100  

Chemours Company, 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%), 3.85%, 05/12/22(l)

      113       113,854  

Element Materials Technology Group US Holdings, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.83%, 06/28/24(l)

      660       662,198  

Encapsys LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.58%, 11/07/24(l)

      1,000       1,005,630  

Evergreen Acqco 1 LP, Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.75%), 5.11%, 07/09/19(l)

      197       177,878  

H.B. Fuller Co., 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.53%, 10/12/24(l)

      1,335       1,339,819  

MacDermid, Inc.(l):

     

Term Loan B6, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.35%, 06/07/23

      1,820       1,828,830  

Term Loan B7, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.50% 1.00% Floor), 3.85%, 06/07/20

      335       337,274  

OXEA Finance & Cy SCA, 2017 Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.50%), 4.88%, 10/11/24(l)

      3,392       3,397,665  

PQ Corp., 2017 Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.63%, 11/04/22(l)

      691       697,461  

Solenis International LP, 2nd Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 6.75% 1.00% Floor), 8.23%, 07/31/22(l)

      1,915       1,867,125  
Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Chemicals (continued)  

Tata Chemicals North America, Inc., Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 4.13%, 08/07/20(l)

    USD       526     $ 525,700  

Tronox Blocked Borrower LLC, Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%), 4.32%, 09/22/24(l)

      74       74,408  

Tronox Finance LLC, Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%), 4.32%, 09/22/24(l)

      170       171,712  
     

 

 

 
        16,498,011  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 3.6%  

Advanced Disposal Services, Inc., Term Loan B3, (1 Week LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.45%, 11/10/23(l)

      1,970       1,970,840  

Asurion LLC(l):

     

2017 2nd Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 6.00%), 7.35%, 08/04/25

      901       923,750  

2017 Term Loan B4, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.10%, 08/04/22

      1,899       1,906,908  

2017 Term Loan B5, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%), 4.35%, 11/03/23

      1,722       1,728,021  

Camelot UK Holdco Ltd., 2017 Repriced Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.60%, 10/03/23(l)

      4,935       4,948,649  

Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc., Term Loan B, (1 Week LIBOR + 2.25% 1.00% Floor), 3.49%, 05/20/21(l)

      2,414       2,424,819  

Creative Artists Agency LLC, 2017 1st Lien Term Loan B, (PRIME + 2.50%), 4.75%, 02/15/24(l)

      1,290       1,301,540  

Employbridge LLC, Exit Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 6.50% 1.00% Floor), 7.83%, 05/16/20(l)

      513       493,006  

Garda World Security Corp., 2017 Term Loan, (PRIME + 2.50%), 5.24%, 05/24/24(l)

      861       863,070  

Harland Clarke Holdings Corp., Term Loan B6, (3 mo. LIBOR + 5.50%, 1.00% Floor) 6.83%, 02/09/22(l)

      825       827,514  

KAR Auction Services, Inc., Term Loan B5, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%), 3.88%, 03/09/23(l)

      704       708,067  

Livingston International, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.25%), 5.58%, 04/18/19(l)

      343       330,403  

Prime Security Services Borrower LLC, 2016 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 4.10%, 05/02/22(l)

      2,177       2,192,052  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      17  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Commercial Services & Supplies (continued)  

US Security Associates Holdings, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.00% 1.00% Floor), 5.33%, 07/14/23(l)

    USD       2,052     $ 2,073,679  

West Corp., 2017 Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 4.00% 1.00% Floor), 5.35%, 10/10/24(l)

      2,186       2,181,768  

Wrangler Buyer Corp., Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%), 4.35%, 09/27/24(l)

      2,599       2,614,057  
     

 

 

 
        27,488,143  
Communications Equipment — 1.3%  

Avantor, Inc., 2017 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.57%, 09/07/24(m)

      2,678       2,678,830  

Avaya, Inc.(l):

     

DIP Term Loan, (1 Week LIBOR + 7.50% 1.00% Floor), 8.70%, 01/24/18

      215       214,884  

Exit Term Loan B, 5.59%, 11/08/24(m)

      2,225       2,193,606  

Term Loan B7, 4.60%, 05/29/20(b)(g)

      935       712,219  

Colorado Buyer, Inc., Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.38%, 05/01/24(l)

      1,192       1,197,675  

CommScope, Inc., Term Loan B5, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%), 3.38%, 12/29/22(l)

      409       411,080  

Riverbed Technology, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.60%, 04/24/22(l)

      903       886,364  

Securus Technologies Holdings, Inc., 2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 4.50% 1.00% Floor), 5.85%, 11/01/24(l)

      1,605       1,618,546  
     

 

 

 
        9,913,204  
Construction & Engineering — 1.0%  

Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, Inc., 2017 Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.25% 1.00% Floor), 5.63%, 06/21/24(l)

      5,655       5,678,928  

CNT Holdings III Corp., 2017 Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.60%, 01/22/23(l)

      583       564,144  

Pike Corp., Replacement Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.85%, 09/20/24(l)

      145       146,933  
Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Construction & Engineering (continued)  

USIC Holdings, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (6 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 5.00%, 12/08/23(l)

    USD       1,041     $ 1,047,882  
     

 

 

 
        7,437,887  
Construction Materials — 0.8%  

Core & Main LP, 2017 Term Loan B, (6 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.46%, 08/01/24(l)

      230       231,295  

Filtration Group Corp., 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.38%, 11/21/20(l)

      3,716       3,742,177  

GYP Holdings III Corp., 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.38%, 04/01/23(l)

      2,299       2,311,597  
     

 

 

 
        6,285,069  
Containers & Packaging — 1.1%  

Berlin Packaging LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.50%, 10/01/21(l)

      99       99,277  

Berry Plastics Group, Inc., Term Loan M, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.50%, 10/01/22(l)

      3,463       3,474,382  

BWAY Holding Co., 2017 Term Loan B, (2 mo. LIBOR + 3.25%), 4.52%, 04/03/24(l)

      2,963       2,974,218  

Flex Acquisition Co., Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.34%, 12/29/23(l)

      1,144       1,149,971  

Plastipak Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.02%, 10/04/24(l)

      865       869,109  
     

 

 

 
        8,566,957  
Distributors — 0.6%  

American Builders & Contractors Supply Co., Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%), 3.85%, 10/31/23(l)

      2,310       2,317,536  

American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., 2015 Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 4.25% 1.00% Floor), 5.60%, 09/01/21(l)

      293       294,328  

TriMark USA LLC(l):

     

2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.50%), 4.82%, 09/26/24

      1,790       1,801,182  
 

 

 

18    2017 BLACKROCK QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Distributors (continued)  

TriMark USA LLC (continued)(l):

     

Delayed Draw Term Loan, 4.82%, 09/26/24

    USD       83     $ 83,377  
     

 

 

 
        4,496,423  
Diversified Consumer Services — 2.5%  

Ascend Learning LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.60%, 07/12/24(l)

      825       829,125  

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%), 3.60%, 11/07/23(l)

      2,978       2,985,045  

Equian LLC, Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.75% 1.00% Floor), 5.04%, 05/20/24(l)

      2,346       2,360,320  

J.D. Power and Associates, 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.25% 1.00% Floor), 5.58%, 09/07/23(l)

      1,975       1,987,356  

Serta Simmons Bedding LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.84%, 11/08/23(l)

      3,837       3,702,589  

ServiceMaster Co., 2016 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%), 3.85%, 11/08/23(l)

      4,843       4,850,956  

Spin Holdco Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (2 mo. LIBOR + 3.75% 1.00% Floor), 5.15%, 11/14/22(l)

      1,837       1,850,253  

Weight Watchers International, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, 4.59%, 11/17/24(l)

      575       565,557  
     

 

 

 
        19,131,201  
Diversified Financial Services — 0.7%  

AlixPartners LLP, 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 4.08%, 04/04/24(l)

      1,453       1,458,554  

Diamond US Holding LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.58%, 04/06/24(a)(l)

      1,247       1,246,875  

Kingpin Intermediate Holdings LLC, 2017 1st Lien Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.25% 1.00% Floor), 5.57%, 06/28/24(l)

      1,536       1,547,671  

Nomad Foods Europe Midco Ltd., Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.00%, 05/15/24(l)

      1,215       1,218,038  
Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Diversified Financial Services (continued)  

SAM Finance Luxembourg Sarl, Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.57%, 12/17/20(l)

    USD       227     $ 228,432  
     

 

 

 
        5,699,570  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 5.8%  

CenturyLink, Inc.:

     

2017 Term Loan A, 4.85%, 02/09/22(l)(m)

      1,500       1,487,340  

2017 Term Loan B, (PRIME + 1.75%), 2.75%, 01/31/25(l)

      16,030       15,338,786  

Frontier Communications Corp., 2017 Term Loan B1, (PRIME + 2.75%), 5.09%, 06/15/24(l)

      1,401       1,333,165  

Level 3 Financing, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.70%, 02/22/24(l)

      8,075       8,064,906  

Lumos Networks Operating Co.:

     

1st Lien Term Loan B, 4.08%, 10/16/24(m)

      397       398,343  

Topco Term Loan, 4.39%, 10/16/24(l)

      373       372,376  

Sprint Communications, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%), 3.88%, 02/02/24(l)

      3,766       3,765,134  

Telenet International Finance Sarl(l):

     

Term Loan AI, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.00%, 06/30/25

      5,485       5,488,072  

Term Loan Al, 2.50%, 03/02/26

      4,380       4,380,000  

Telesat Canada, Term Loan B4, (2 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%), 4.32%, 11/17/23(l)

      1,336       1,342,099  

Virgin Media Investment Holdings Ltd., GBP Term Loan L, (LIBOR - GBP + 3.25%), 3.75%, 01/31/27(l)

    GBP       1,400       1,892,281  
     

 

 

 
        43,862,502  
Electric Utilities — 1.5%  

Energy Future Intermediate Holding Co. LLC, 2017 DIP Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.35%, 06/30/18(l)

    USD       10,985       11,018,395  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      19  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Electric Utilities (continued)  

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC/TCEH Finance, Inc., Term Loan, 11/10/18(a)(m)

    USD       2,375        
     

 

 

 
        11,018,395  
Electrical Equipment — 0.5%  

Gates Global LLC, 2017 Repriced Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.39%, 04/01/24(l)

      3,727     $ 3,745,825  
     

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.1%  

Excelitas Technologies Corp., 2017 1st Lien Term Loan, 8.10%, 11/15/24(m)

      875       880,469  
     

 

 

 
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.5%  

Gavilan Resources LLC, 2nd Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 6.00% 1.00% Floor), 7.24%, 03/01/24(l)

      1,500       1,473,750  

Ocean Rig UDW Inc., Term Loan, (Fixed + 8.00%), 8.00%, 09/20/24(l)

      180       181,987  

Pioneer Energy Services Corp., Term Loan, (1 Week LIBOR + 7.75% 1.00% Floor), 8.99%, 11/02/22(l)

      770       770,963  

Seadrill Partners Finco LLC, Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.33%, 02/21/21(l)

      900       691,861  

Weatherford International Ltd., Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.30%), 3.65%, 07/13/20(l)

      736       715,560  
     

 

 

 
        3,834,121  
Food & Staples Retailing — 1.6%  

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc., 2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.99%, 02/03/24(l)

      2,153       2,117,422  

Hostess Brands LLC, 2017 Repriced Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.60%, 08/03/22(l)

      2,803       2,806,333  

Rite Aid Corp.(l):

     

2nd Lien Term Loan, (1 Week LIBOR + 4.75% 1.00% Floor), 5.96%, 08/21/20

      695       697,029  

2nd Lien Term Loan, (1 Week LIBOR + 3.87% 1.00% Floor), 5.09%, 06/21/21

      1,475       1,476,844  
Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Food & Staples Retailing (continued)  

US Foods, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%), 4.10%, 06/27/23(l)

    USD       4,765     $ 4,788,511  
     

 

 

 
        11,886,139  
Food Products — 1.8%  

Albertsons LLC, 2017 Term Loan B4, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.10%, 08/25/21(l)

      2,220       2,154,709  

Chobani LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.74%, 10/09/23(l)

      1,430       1,444,384  

Dole Food Company Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (2 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 3.99%, 04/06/24(l)

      775       777,598  

JBS USA LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%), 3.76%, 10/30/22(l)

      1,960       1,918,007  

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%),
3.24%, 02/02/24(l)

      2,551       2,564,269  

Reddy Ice Corp.(l):

     

1st Lien Term Loan, (PRIME + 4.50%), 6.88%, 05/01/19

      1,782       1,752,438  

2nd Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 9.50%), 10.85%, 11/01/19

      724       680,560  

Reynolds Group Holdings, Inc., 2017 Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.10%, 02/05/23(l)

      2,189       2,198,813  
     

 

 

 
        13,490,778  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 2.2%  

Cotiviti Corp., Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%), 3.84%, 09/28/23(a)(l)

      2,283       2,294,256  

CryoLife, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.85%, 11/14/24(a)(m)

 

    1,745       1,753,725  

DJO Finance LLC, 2015 Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.60%, 06/08/20(l)

      4,966       4,915,953  

Immucor, Inc., Extended Term Loan B, (2 mo. LIBOR + 5.00% 1.00% Floor), 6.31%, 06/15/21(l)

      3,393       3,441,522  

Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics SA, Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.75% 1.00% Floor), 5.08%, 06/30/21(l)

      3,042       3,048,145  
 

 

 

20    2017 BLACKROCK QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)  

YI LLC(a)(l):

     

2017 1st Lien Delayed Draw Term Loan,
4.85%, 11/07/24

    USD       240     $ 239,400  

2017 1st Lien Term Loan,
4.85%, 11/07/24(m)

      955       952,612  
     

 

 

 
        16,645,613  
Health Care Providers & Services — 3.9%  

Air Medical Group Holdings, Inc.:

     

2017 Term Loan B2, 09/07/24(m)

      1,680       1,687,980  

Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.49%, 04/28/22(l)

      619       616,995  

CHG Healthcare Services, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (2 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.63%, 06/07/23(l)

      2,143       2,149,745  

Community Health Systems, Inc., Term Loan G, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 4.23%, 12/31/19(l)

      927       901,191  

Curo Health Services Holdings, Inc., 2015 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.00% 1.00% Floor), 5.35%, 02/07/22(l)

      880       878,748  

DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc., Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.10%, 06/24/21(l)

      6,782       6,845,792  

DuPage Medical Group, Ltd.(l):

     

1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%), 4.36%, 08/15/24(a)

      1,570       1,571,962  

2nd Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 7.00%), 8.42%, 08/15/25

      540       540,675  

Envision Healthcare Corp., 2016 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%),
4.35%, 12/01/23(l)

      5,499       5,509,647  

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, 2016 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor),
4.33%, 06/07/23(l)

      2,160       2,160,417  

National Mentor Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%),
4.33%, 01/31/21(l)

      665       668,520  

nThrive, Inc., 2016 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 4.50% 1.00% Floor), 5.85%, 10/20/22(l)

      1,317       1,323,250  

NVA Holdings, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan B2, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.50%),
4.83%, 08/14/21(l)

      1,132       1,139,216  

Team Health Holdings, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor),
4.10%, 02/06/24(l)

      1,257       1,228,238  

Vizient, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor),
4.85%, 02/13/23(l)

      1,303       1,306,530  
    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Health Care Providers & Services (continued)  

WP CityMD Bidco LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.00% 1.00% Floor),
5.33%, 06/07/24(l)

    USD       870     $ 873,811  
     

 

 

 
        29,402,717  
Health Care Technology — 0.8%  

Change Healthcare Holdings, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor),
4.10%, 03/01/24(l)

      2,593       2,599,110  

Press Ganey Holdings, Inc., 2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor),
4.35%, 10/23/23(l)

      1,388       1,396,642  

Quintiles IMS, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%), 3.33%, 03/07/24(l)

      1,825       1,833,042  
     

 

 

 
        5,828,794  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 4.8%  

Amaya Holdings BV(l):

     

2nd Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 7.00% 1.00% Floor), 8.33%, 08/01/22

      995       995,125  

Repriced Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.83%, 08/01/21

      3,295       3,310,630  

Boyd Gaming Corp., Term Loan B3, (1 Week LIBOR + 2.50%), 3.70%, 09/15/23(l)

      1,114       1,118,793  

Bronco Midstream Funding LLC, Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.00% 1.00% Floor), 5.44%, 08/15/20(l)

      1,479       1,488,455  

Burger King Newco Unlimited Liability Co., Term Loan B3, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25% 1.00% Floor), 3.58%, 02/16/24(l)

      4,136       4,133,494  

Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties LLC, Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.85%, 10/11/20(l)

      10,049       10,042,720  

Caesars Growth Properties Holdings LLC, 2017 Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 4.10%, 05/08/21(l)

      1,802       1,801,799  

Caesars Resort Collection LLC, 2017 1st Lien Term Loan B,(m)

      2,346       2,357,928  

CCM Merger, Inc., Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.10%, 08/08/21(l)

      839       842,042  

CEC Entertainment, Inc., Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.35%, 02/14/21(l)

      703       676,148  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      21  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)  

Cyan Blue Holdco 3 Ltd., 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.50%),
4.83%, 07/26/24(l)

    USD       1,385     $ 1,392,034  

ESH Hospitality, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B,
(1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%),
3.60%, 08/30/23(l)

      1,851       1,853,908  

Four Seasons Hotels Ltd., 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%),
3.85%, 11/30/23(l)

      213       214,365  

Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC, Term Loan B2, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%),
3.33%, 10/25/23(l)

      853       856,778  

La Quinta Intermediate Holdings LLC, Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 4.11%, 04/14/21(l)

      450       451,952  

Playa Resorts Holding BV, 2017 Term Loan B, 04/05/24(m)

      1,115       1,118,903  

Scientific Games International, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B4, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.25%), 4.60%, 08/14/24(l)

      1,523       1,535,806  

Station Casinos LLC, 2016 Term Loan B,
(1 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%),
3.82%, 06/08/23(l)

      1,137       1,138,481  

Yum! Brands, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan B,
(1 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%),
3.28%, 06/16/23(l)

      901       907,229  
     

 

 

 
        36,236,590  
Household Durables — 0.2%  

Serta Simmons Bedding LLC, 2nd Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 8.00% 1.00% Floor),
9.24%, 11/08/24(l)

      1,712       1,553,483  
     

 

 

 
Household Products — 0.3%  

Diamond (BC) B.V., Term Loan, (2 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%), 4.42%, 09/06/24(l)(m)

      400       400,232  

Spectrum Brands, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B,
(2 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%),
3.40%, 06/23/22(l)

      1,754       1,762,779  
     

 

 

 
        2,163,011  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 1.6%  

AES Corp., 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%), 3.45%, 05/24/22(l)

      1,468       1,472,219  

Calpine Construction Finance Co., LP, Original Term Loan B1, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.60%, 05/03/20(l)

      787       785,686  

Calpine Corp.(l):

     

Term Loan B5, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%),
4.09%, 01/15/24

      461       461,571  
    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Insurance (continued)  

Calpine Corp. (continued)(l):

     

Term Loan B6, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 4.09%, 01/15/23

    USD       1,159     $ 1,160,382  

Dynegy, Inc., 2017 Term Loan C, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.60%, 02/07/24(l)

      2,304       2,316,589  

Granite Acquisition, Inc.(l):

     

Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.00% 1.00% Floor), 5.34%, 12/19/21

      1,662       1,678,423  

Term Loan C, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.00% 1.00% Floor), 5.33%, 12/19/21

      75       75,876  

Nautilus Power LLC, Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 4.25% 1.00% Floor), 5.60%, 05/16/24(l)

      2,534       2,551,385  

Terra-Gen Finance Co. LLC, Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 4.25% 1.00% Floor), 5.60%, 12/09/21(a)(l)

      1,530       1,376,893  
     

 

 

 
        11,879,024  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.6%  

Cortes NP Acquisition Corp., 2017 Term Loan B, (PRIME + 3.00%), 5.35%, 11/30/23(l)

      3,181       3,193,838  

Sequa Corp., 1st Lien Term Loan, (2 mo. LIBOR + 5.50% 1.00% Floor), 6.87%, 11/28/21(l)

      1,466       1,475,490  
     

 

 

 
        4,669,328  
Insurance — 1.5%  

Alliant Holdings I, Inc., 2015 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.58%, 08/12/22(l)

      2,299       2,307,995  

AmWINS Group, Inc.(l):

     

2017 2nd Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 6.75% 1.00% Floor), 8.10%, 01/25/25

      1,122       1,137,147  

2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 4.10%, 01/25/24

      913       915,383  

AssuredPartners, Inc., 2017 1st Lien Add-On Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.50%), 4.85%, 10/22/24(l)

      1,349       1,357,967  

Davis Vision Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan B, 11/01/24(m)

      690       693,450  

Hub International Ltd., Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.41%, 10/02/20(l)

      1,064       1,067,523  
 

 

 

22    2017 BLACKROCK QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Insurance (continued)  

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc.(l):

     

1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 4.10%, 03/01/21

    USD       1,612     $ 1,616,594  

2nd Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 5.75% 1.00% Floor), 7.10%, 02/28/22

      1,650       1,664,438  

Stratose Intermediate Holdings II LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.60%, 06/22/23(l)

      718       722,243  
     

 

 

 
        11,482,740  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.2%  

Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.25%), 4.60%, 08/18/23(l)

      1,499       1,507,302  
     

 

 

 
Internet Software & Services — 1.1%  

Go Daddy Operating Co. LLC, 2017 Repriced Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.60%, 02/15/24(l)

      2,624       2,630,850  

Intralinks, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan,
11/11/24(m)

      1,060       1,054,700  

Rackspace Hosting, Inc., 2017 Incremental 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.38%, 11/03/23(l)

      3,124       3,118,770  

TierPoint LLC, 2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.75% 1.00% Floor), 5.10%, 05/06/24(l)

      1,464       1,458,957  
     

 

 

 
        8,263,277  
IT Services — 4.4%  

First Data Corp., 2024 Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.56%, 04/26/24(l)

      11,176       11,173,814  

NeuStar, Inc.(l):

     

Term Loan B1, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25%), 4.65%, 01/08/20

      166       167,437  

Term Loan B2, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.75% 1.00% Floor), 5.15%, 08/08/24

      549       553,720  

Optiv Security, Inc.(l):

     

1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.63%, 02/01/24

      3,340       3,180,763  

2nd Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 7.25% 1.00% Floor), 8.63%, 02/01/25

      1,000       925,000  
Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
IT Services (continued)  

Peak 10, Inc. (l):

     

2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (2 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.82%, 08/01/24

    USD       440     $ 440,686  

2017 2nd Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 7.25% 1.00% Floor), 8.63%, 08/01/25

      1,556       1,572,851  

Sabre Global Inc., Incremental Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25% 1.00% Floor), 3.60%, 02/22/24(l)

      1,223       1,227,974  

TKC Holdings, Inc.(l):

     

2017 2nd Lien Term Loan, (2 mo. LIBOR + 8.00% 1.00% Floor), 9.42%, 02/01/24

      1,345       1,355,087  

2017 Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 4.25% 1.00% Floor), 5.67%, 02/01/23

      1,856       1,875,401  

Trans Union LLC, Term Loan B3, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%), 3.35%, 04/10/23(l)

      5,520       5,539,013  

Vantiv LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%), 3.25%, 10/14/23(l)

      792       795,619  

VF Holding Corp., Reprice Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.60%, 06/30/23(l)

      2,188       2,199,768  

WEX, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B2, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.10%, 06/30/23(l)

      2,444       2,458,947  
     

 

 

 
        33,466,080  
Leisure Products — 0.1%  

MND Holdings III Corp., 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.50% 1.00% Floor), 5.83%, 06/19/24(a)(l)

      808       812,015  
     

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.5%  

Albany Molecular Research, Inc.(l):

     

2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.58%, 08/30/24

      1,240       1,243,621  

2017 2nd Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 7.00% 1.00% Floor), 8.33%, 08/30/25

      920       931,500  

Parexel International Corp., Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%), 4.35%, 09/27/24(l)

      1,672       1,681,062  
     

 

 

 
        3,856,183  
Machinery — 1.1%  

Clark Equipment Co., 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%), 3.83%, 05/18/24(l)

      1,031       1,035,511  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      23  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Machinery (continued)  

Faenza Acquisition GmbH(l):

     

Term Loan B1, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 4.23%, 08/30/20

    USD       554     $ 553,331  

Term Loan B3, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 4.23%, 08/30/20

      170       169,442  

Gardner Denver, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.08%, 07/30/24(l)

      1,393       1,397,113  

Hayward Industries, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.50%), 4.85%, 08/05/24(l)

      905       907,720  

Mueller Water Products, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%), 3.85%, 11/25/21(l)

      554       558,569  

Rexnord LLC, 2016 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 4.11%, 08/21/23(l)

      1,313       1,314,240  

Signode Industrial Group US, Inc., Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 4.10%, 05/04/21(l)

      798       801,586  

Tecomet Inc., 2017 Repriced Term Loan, (PRIME + 2.50%), 5.13%, 05/01/24(l)

      1,378       1,388,108  
     

 

 

 
        8,125,620  
Media — 6.4%  

Altice Financing SA:

     

2017 1st Lien Term Loan,
4.58%, 01/05/26(a)(m)

      2,073       2,010,325  

2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.11%, 07/15/25(l)

      574       560,584  

Altice US Finance I Corp., 2017 Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.60%, 07/28/25(l)

      4,774       4,736,437  

CBS Radio Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.17%, 11/17/24(l)

      1,139       1,146,413  

Charter Communications Operating LLC, 2016 Term Loan I Add, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.60%, 01/15/24(l)

      4,541       4,560,149  

CSC Holdings LLC, 2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.51%, 07/17/25(l)

      3,766       3,742,280  

DHX Media Ltd., Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.75% 1.00% Floor), 5.10%, 12/29/23(l)

      863       863,381  

Getty Images, Inc., Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.50%), 4.83%, 10/18/19(l)

      337       292,869  
    
Security
   

Par

(000)

    Value  
Media (continued)  

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co., 2015 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.35%, 05/31/21(l)

    USD       792     $ 734,908  

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, Term Loan B2, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 4.07%, 06/30/19(l)

      6,114       6,093,788  

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., Term Loan B3, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.63%, 10/31/23(l)

      600       603,954  

Mission Broadcasting, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B2, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%), 3.74%, 01/17/24(l)

      302       302,865  

Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B2, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%), 3.74%, 01/17/24(l)

      2,393       2,399,107  

Numericable Group SA, Term Loan B12, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%), 4.35%, 01/31/26(l)

      2,305       2,247,375  

Radiate Holdco LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%), 4.35%, 02/01/24(l)

      940       932,640  

SBA Senior Finance II LLC, Term Loan B1, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.60%, 03/24/21(l)

      1,911       1,915,322  

Trader Corp., 2017 Term Loan B, (OR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.41%, 09/28/23(l)

      985       985,672  

Tribune Media Co., Term Loan C, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%), 4.35%, 01/27/24(l)

      2,416       2,419,226  

Unitymedia Finance LLC, Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.50%, 09/30/25(l)

      2,800       2,798,824  

Univision Communications, Inc., Term Loan C5, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 4.10%, 03/15/24(l)

      1,891       1,876,311  

Virgin Media Bristol LLC, 2017 Term Loan, 01/31/26(m)

      5,346       5,342,685  
 

 

 

24    2017 BLACKROCK QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Media (continued)  

Ziggo Secured Finance Partnership, Term Loan E, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%), 3.75%, 04/15/25(l)

    USD       1,722     $ 1,711,289  
     

 

 

 
        48,276,404  
Metals & Mining — 0.1%  

WireCo WorldGroup, Inc., 2016 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 5.50% 1.00% Floor), 6.82%, 09/30/23(l)

      510       510,273  
     

 

 

 
Multiline Retail — 0.3%  

Eyemart Express LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.25%, 08/04/24(l)

      935       936,169  

Hudson’s Bay Co., 2015 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.72%, 09/30/22(l)

      883       867,416  

Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., 2020 Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.49%, 10/25/20(l)

      500       407,429  
     

 

 

 
        2,211,014  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 3.0%  

BCP Raptor LLC, Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.25% 1.00% Floor), 5.73%, 06/24/24(l)

      1,745       1,757,635  

BCP Renaissance Parent LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.00% 1.00% Floor), 5.38%, 10/31/24(l)

      2,013       2,031,238  

California Resources Corp.:

     

2017 1st Lien Term Loan,
4.99%, 11/08/22(m)

      1,545       1,518,750  

Second Out Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 10.37%), 11.66%, 12/31/21(l)

      3,145       3,396,600  

Chesapeake Energy Corp., Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 7.50% 1.00% Floor), 8.95%, 08/23/21(l)

      2,457       2,613,249  

CITGO Holding, Inc., 2015 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 8.50% 1.00% Floor), 9.84%, 05/12/18(l)

      777       778,369  

CONSOL Energy, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan B, 10/26/22(m)

      780       781,943  

EWT Holdings III Corp., 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.75% 1.00% Floor), 5.08%, 01/15/21(l)

      115       116,097  

Medallion Midland Acquisition LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.56%, 10/30/24(a)(l)

      1,230       1,231,537  
Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)  

MEG Energy Corp., 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.83%, 12/31/23(l)

    USD       3,398     $ 3,395,373  

Moxie Patriot LLC, Term Loan B1, (3 mo. LIBOR + 5.75%), 7.08%, 12/19/20(a)(l)

      497       479,486  

PowerTeam Services LLC, 2nd Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 7.25% 1.00% Floor), 8.58%, 11/06/20(l)

      200       199,250  

Ultra Resources, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.41%, 04/12/24(l)

      1,123       1,120,193  

Veresen Midstream LP, Reprice Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%), 4.35%, 03/31/22(l)

      1,861       1,872,697  

Vine Oil & Gas LP, Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 6.87% 1.00% Floor), 8.22%, 12/12/21(a)(l)

      1,148       1,130,780  
     

 

 

 
        22,423,197  
Personal Products — 0.9%  

Clover Merger Sub, Inc.(l):

     

2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.83%, 09/26/24

      3,650       3,485,750  

2017 2nd Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 7.75% 1.00% Floor), 9.08%, 09/26/25

      1,656       1,490,400  

Prestige Brands, Inc., Term Loan B4, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.10%, 01/26/24(l)

      1,803       1,811,704  

Revlon Consumer Products Corp., 2016 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.50%), 4.85%, 09/07/23(l)

      345       260,175  
     

 

 

 
        7,048,029  
Pharmaceuticals — 2.0%  

Akorn, Inc., Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 4.25%), 5.63%, 04/16/21(a)(l)

      1,349       1,352,784  

Grifols Worldwide Operations USA, Inc., 2017 Acquisition Term Loan, (1 Week LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.45%, 01/31/25(l)

      5,955       5,969,963  

Jaguar Holding Co. II, 2017 Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 4.10%, 08/18/22(l)

      4,090       4,096,069  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      25  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Pharmaceuticals (continued)  

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., Series F1 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.50%), 4.75%, 04/01/22(l)

    USD       3,371     $ 3,415,292  
     

 

 

 
        14,834,108  
Professional Services — 0.9%  

Advantage Sales & Marketing, Inc., 2014 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.63%, 07/23/21(l)

      515       499,666  

Cast and Crew Payroll LLC, 2017 1st Lien Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%), 4.33%, 09/26/24(l)

      2,256       2,269,662  

Information Resources, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, (OR + 4.25% 1.00% Floor), 5.62%, 01/18/24(l)

      771       775,621  

SIRVA Worldwide, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 6.50% 1.00% Floor), 7.84%, 11/14/22(a)(l)

      1,116       1,122,145  

Sterling Infosystems, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.84%, 06/20/22(a)(l)

      2,231       2,236,791  
     

 

 

 
        6,903,885  
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.5%  

Capital Automotive LP, 2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.50% 1.00% Floor), 3.85%, 03/24/24(l)

      575       576,083  

MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP, 2016 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.60%, 04/25/23(l)

      3,163       3,175,218  
     

 

 

 
        3,751,301  
Real Estate Management & Development — 0.8%  

CityCenter Holdings LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%), 3.85%, 04/18/24(l)

      1,403       1,408,259  

DTZ US Borrower LLC, 2015 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.63%, 11/04/21(l)

      2,048       2,012,025  
Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Real Estate Management & Development (continued)  

Realogy Corp., 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.60%, 07/20/22(l)

    USD       2,606     $ 2,616,127  
     

 

 

 
        6,036,411  
Road & Rail — 0.2%  

PODS LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, 11/21/24(m)

      1,355       1,359,241  
     

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.3%  

Cavium, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.60%, 08/16/22(a)(l)

      523       523,474  

Microsemi Corp., 2017 1st Lien Term Loan B, (2 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%), 3.38%, 01/13/23(l)

      369       370,118  

ON Semiconductor Corp., 2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%), 3.60%, 03/31/23(l)

      326       326,819  

Versum Materials, Inc., Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%), 3.33%, 09/29/23(l)

      708       710,950  
     

 

 

 
        1,931,361  
Software — 7.6%  

Almonde, Inc.(l):

     

1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.98%, 06/13/24

      1,142       1,140,630  

2nd Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 7.25% 1.00% Floor), 8.73%, 06/13/25

      226       225,887  

Applied Systems, Inc.(l):

     

2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.57%, 09/19/24

      1,939       1,957,559  

2017 2nd Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 7.00% 1.00% Floor), 8.32%, 09/19/25

      470       483,296  

Aptean, Inc., 2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.25% 1.00% Floor), 5.59%, 12/20/22(l)

      1,109       1,116,825  

BMC Software Finance, Inc., 2017 Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.75% 1.00% Floor), 5.10%, 09/10/22(l)

      1,134       1,134,592  

Cypress Intermediate Holdings, Inc.(l):

     

2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.35%, 04/27/24

      1,222       1,223,465  
 

 

 

26    2017 BLACKROCK QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Software (continued)  

Cypress Intermediate Holdings, Inc. (continued)(l):

     

2017 2nd Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 6.75% 1.00% Floor), 8.10%, 04/27/25

    USD       740     $ 757,575  

Dell Inc., 2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%), 3.35%, 09/07/23(l)

      3,005       3,005,899  

Digicel International Finance Ltd., 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.75%), 5.08%, 05/28/24(l)

      2,050       2,050,513  

DTI Holdco, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 5.25% 1.00% Floor), 6.63%, 09/30/23(l)

      1,115       1,109,024  

Hyland Software, Inc.(l):

     

2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.25%), 4.60%, 07/01/22

      1,271       1,281,802  

2017 2nd Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 7.00%), 8.35%, 07/07/25

      580       591,600  

Infor (US), Inc., Term Loan B6, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor), 4.08%, 02/01/22(l)

      2,860       2,855,349  

Informatica Corp., Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.83%, 08/05/22(l)

      3,666       3,672,880  

IQOR US, Inc., Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 5.00% 1.00% Floor), 6.34%, 04/01/21(l)

      1,511       1,503,641  

Kronos, Inc.(l):

     

2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.84%, 11/01/23

      2,595       2,607,178  

2nd Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 8.25% 1.00% Floor), 9.63%, 11/01/24

      1,175       1,210,003  

LANDesk Group, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 4.25% 1.00% Floor), 5.60%, 01/20/24(l)

      333       322,416  

MA FinanceCo., LLC, Term Loan B3, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.06%, 06/21/24(l)

      279       279,376  

McAfee LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.50% 1.00% Floor), 5.83%, 09/30/24(l)

      805       808,397  

Mitchell International, Inc.(l):

     

1st Lien Term Loan, (2 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.81%, 10/13/20

      2,152       2,152,605  
Security    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Software (continued)  

Mitchell International, Inc.(continued):

     

2017 1st Lien Term Loan,11/20/24(m)

    USD       3,725     $ 3,724,831  

2017 2nd Lien Term Loan, 11/20/25(m)

      1,180       1,188,354  

2017 Delayed Draw Term Loan, 11/20/24(m)

      300       300,469  

2nd Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 7.50% 1.00% Floor), 8.88%, 10/11/21(l)

      1,250       1,250,000  

Project Alpha Intermediate Holding, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 5.04%, 04/26/24(l)

      1,786       1,746,181  

Project Leopard Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 5.50% 1.00% Floor), 6.83%, 07/07/23(l)

      860       865,375  

Seattle Spinco, Inc., Term Loan B3, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.06%, 06/21/24(l)

      1,884       1,886,694  

SolarWinds Holdings, Inc., 2017 Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.85%, 02/05/23(l)

      2,469       2,477,756  

Solera LLC, Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.60%, 03/03/23(l)

      2,312       2,322,628  

Sophia LP, 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.25% 1.00% Floor), 4.58%, 09/30/22(l)

      1,761       1,759,859  

SS&C Technologies, Inc.(l):

     

2017 Term Loan B1, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.60%, 07/08/22

      2,208       2,221,175  

2017 Term Loan B2, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.60%, 07/08/22

      96       96,388  

Tempo Acquisition LLC, Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%), 4.35%, 05/01/24(l)

      2,808       2,801,813  

Tibco Software Inc., Repriced Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.85%, 12/04/20(l)

      2,217       2,221,289  

Veritas Bermuda Ltd., Repriced Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.50% 1.00% Floor), 5.83%, 01/27/23(l)

      1,593       1,592,052  
     

 

 

 
        57,945,376  
Specialty Retail — 1.0%  

Academy Ltd., 2015 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.00% 1.00% Floor), 5.32%, 07/01/22(l)

      797       638,977  

Belron SA, Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%), 3.89%, 11/07/24(l)

      275       276,804  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      27  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security    

    

    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Specialty Retail (continued)                  

Leslie’s Poolmart, Inc., 2016 Term Loan,
(3 mo. LIBOR + 3.75% 1.00% Floor),
5.06%, 08/16/23(l)

    USD       827     $ 823,203  

Michaels Stores, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B1,
(1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75% 1.00% Floor),
4.10%, 01/30/23(l)

      1,236       1,224,137  

National Vision, Inc., 2017 Repriced Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%),
3.94%, 11/12/24(l)

      1,737       1,735,505  

Party City Holdings, Inc., 2016 Term Loan,
(3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%),
4.34%, 08/19/22(l)

      610       610,264  

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.00% 1.00% Floor), 4.38%, 01/26/23(l)

      892       701,669  

Staples, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B,
(3 mo. LIBOR + 4.00% 1.00% Floor),
5.31%, 09/12/24(l)

      1,152       1,102,222  

Things Remembered, Inc., 2016 Term Loan,
(PIK + 11.00%), 1.00%, 02/29/20(a)(l)(f)

      1,378        

TruGreen LP, 2017 Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 4.00% 1.00% Floor), 5.25%, 04/13/23(l)

      200       202,750  
     

 

 

 
        7,315,531  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.3%  

Ascend Performance Materials Operations LLC, Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 5.25% 1.00% Floor), 6.58%, 08/12/22(a)(l)

      2,475       2,490,658  
     

 

 

 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.2%  

IG Investment Holdings LLC, 2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.50% 1.00% Floor), 4.89%, 10/29/21(l)

      1,475       1,484,142  
     

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.8%  

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.:

     

2017 Term Loan B, 08/23/24(m)

      2,144       2,148,031  

Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 4.06%, 10/01/22(l)

      578       579,165  

HD Supply, Inc.(l):

     

Term Loan B3, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%), 3.58%, 08/13/21

      1,243       1,249,123  

Term Loan B4, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%), 3.83%, 10/17/23

      1,901       1,913,315  
Security    

Par/
Beneficial
Interest

(000)

    Value  
Trading Companies & Distributors (continued)  

Nexeo Solutions LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.75%), 5.08%, 06/09/23(l)

    USD       242     $ 243,156  
     

 

 

 
        6,132,790  
Utilities — 0.1%  

ExGen Renewables IV LLC, Term Loan B, 11/07/24(a)(m)

      1,010       1,017,575  
     

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.1%  

GEO Group, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.25%),
3.57%, 03/22/24(l)

      1,498       1,499,347  

Ligado Networks LLC, PIK Exit Term Loan (9.75% PIK),
5.24%, 12/07/20(b)(f)(g)

      6,834       6,480,950  

VICI Properties 1 LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.50%), 4.75%, 10/14/22(l)

      647       646,920  
     

 

 

 
        8,627,217  
     

 

 

 

Total Floating Rate Loan Interests — 80.5%
(Cost — $610,857,353)

 

    609,465,602  
     

 

 

 

Other Interests — 0.0%(n)

 

IT Services — 0.0%  

Millennium Lender Claims(a)

      2,240        
     

 

 

 

Preferred Securities

 

Capital Trusts              

ATF Netherlands BV, 3.75%(h)(j)

      100       124,572  

Banco Santander SA, 6.25%(h)(j)

      100       124,232  

Bank of America Corp.,
Series X, 6.25%(h)(j)

      1,100       1,218,250  

Citigroup, Inc., Series N, 5.80%(h)(j)

      1,100       1,141,030  

Cooperatieve Rabobank UA,
6.63%(h)(j)

      200       276,011  

Credit Agricole SA, 6.50%(h)(j)

      100       135,093  

Danone SA, 1.75%(h)(j)

      100       118,918  

Enel SpA(h):

     

6.50% 01/10/74

      100       126,721  

7.75% 09/10/75

      100       154,513  

Erste Group Bank AG, 6.50%(h)(j)

      200       277,901  

Gas Natural Fenosa Finance BV, 3.38%(h)(j)

      100       124,968  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.,
Series P, 5.00%(h)(j)

      1,910       1,895,675  

HBOS Capital Funding LP, 6.85%(j)

      200       204,278  
 

 

 

28    2017 BLACKROCK QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Shares/
Par
(000)
    Value  
Capital Trusts (continued)        

Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd., Series 3H, 1.63%(h)(j)

    USD       100     $ 88,384  

HSBC Holdings PLC, 6.00%(h)(j)

      600       630,300  

HSH Nordbank AG, 7.25%(j)

      29       15,182  

HT1 Funding GmbH, 1.84%(h)(j)

      30       34,854  

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, 7.00%(h)(j)

      400       528,859  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.,
Series V, 5.00%(h)(j)

      780       800,475  

Lanxess AG, 4.50% 12/06/76(h)

      50       66,160  

National Westminster Bank PLC,
Series C, 1.75%(e)(j)

      100       88,217  

Orange SA, 5.75%(h)(j)

      100       150,617  

Origin Energy Finance Ltd.,
4.00% 09/16/74(h)

      100       124,269  

Repsol International Finance BV,
4.50% 03/25/75(h)

      100       132,187  

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 8.63%(h)(j)

      246       277,365  

SoftBank Group Corp.(h)(j)

      750,000       744,195  

Solvay Finance SA, 5.12%(h)(j)

      100       133,546  

Telefonica Europe BV(h)(j):

     

3.75%

      100       125,423  

4.20%

      200       251,405  

5.00%

      100       128,243  

TOTAL SA, 3.88%(h)(j)

      100       132,266  

UBS Group AG, 5.75%(h)(j)

      200       271,767  
   

 

 

 

Total Capital Trusts — 1.4%

        10,645,876  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stock

     
Capital Markets — 0.0%                  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.,
Series J, 5.50%(h)

      13,550       367,747  
   

 

 

 

Trust Preferred

     
Diversified Financial Services — 0.2%                  

GMAC Capital Trust I,
Series 2,

7.10%, 02/15/40(e)

      1,480       1,542,310  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Securities— 1.6%
(Cost — $11,892,733.61)

        12,555,933  
   

 

 

 
Security       

    

    

Shares

    Value  

Rights — 0.0%

     
Electric Utilities — 0.0%                

Tex Energy LLC(a)

      39,599     $ 37,223  
   

 

 

 

Total Rights — 0.0%
(Cost — $0)

        37,223  
   

 

 

 

Warrants — 0.0%

     
Metals & Mining — 0.0%                

AFGlobal Corp. (Expires12/20/20)(a)

      5,283        
   

 

 

 
Software — 0.0%                

HMH Holdings/EduMedia (Issued/exercisable 03/09/10, 19 Shares for 1 Warrant, Expires 06/22/19, Strike Price $42.27)(a)

      3,049       78  
   

 

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure — 0.0%                

Turbo Cayman Ltd. (Expires 03/15/18, Strike Price $0.01)(a)

      1        
   

 

 

 

Total Warrants — 0.0%
(Cost — $31)

 

    78  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 147.9%
(Cost — $1,133,705,978)

 

    1,119,620,356  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities — 1.0%

     

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 0.96%(o)(p)

      7,942,605     $ 7,942,605  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.0%
(Cost — $7,942,605)

 

    7,942,605  
   

 

 

 

Options Purchased — 0.0%
(Cost — $8,218)

 

    313  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 148.9%
(Cost — $1,141,078,801)

 

    1,127,563,274  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (48.9)%

 

    (370,379,583
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 757,183,691  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)  Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
(b)  Non-income producing security.
(c)  Floating rate security. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.
(d)  Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.
(e)  Variable or floating rate security, which interest rate adjusts periodically based on changes in current interest rates and prepayments on the underlying pool of assets. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.
(f)  Payment-in-kind security which may pay interest/dividends in additional par/shares and/or in cash. Rates shown are the current rate and possible payment rates.
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      29  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

(g)  Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default.
(h)  Variable rate security. Security may be issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a specified date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.
(i)  When-issued security.
(j)  Perpetual security with no stated maturity date.
(k)  Step-up bond that pays an initial coupon rate for the first period and then a higher coupon rate for the following periods. Rate as of period end.
(l)  Variable rate security. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.
(m)  Represents an unsettled loan commitment at period end. Certain details associated with this purchase are not known prior to the settlement date, including coupon rate.
(n)  Other interests represent beneficial interests in liquidation trusts and other reorganization or private entities.
(o)  Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.
(p)  During the period ended November 30, 2017, investments in issuers considered to be affiliates and/or related related parties of the Fund for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and/or related parties of the Fund were as follows:

 

Affiliated and/or related parties   

Shares

Held at
02/28/17

    

Shares

Purchased

    

Shares

Sold

    

Shares

Held at
11/30/17

     Value at
11/30/17
     Income      Net Realized
Gain (Loss)(a)
    

Change in
Unrealized

Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

            7,942,605 (b)              7,942,605      $ 7,942,605      $ 11,160      $      $  

iShares iBoxx USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

     157,001               (157,001                    257,172        508,287        (475,323
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 7,942,605      $ 268,332      $ 508,287      $ (475,323
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)  Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.  
  (b)  Represents net shares purchased.  

For Fund compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

 

Portfolio Abbreviations
CDO    Collateralized Debt Obligation
CLO    Collateralized Loan Obligation
DIP    Debtor-In-Possession
ETF    Exchange-Traded Fund
EUR    Euro
EURIBOR    Euro Interbank Offered Rate
GBP    British Pound
LIBOR    London Interbank Offered Rate
PIK    Payment-In-Kind
USD    U.S. Dollar

 

 

30    2017 BLACKROCK QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount (000)
      

Value/

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

Short Contracts

                 

Euro Bund

     (5        12/07/17        $ 968        $ (4,706

10-Year U.S. Treasury Note

     (2        03/20/18          248          1,669  

Long Gilt Future

     (1        03/27/18          167          878  
                 

 

 

 
                  $ (2,159
                 

 

 

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency Purchased        Currency Sold        Counterparty      Settlement Date       

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
EUR      380,000        USD      445,645        UBS AG        12/05/17        $ 6,673  
GBP      1,400,000        USD      1,862,756        National Australia Bank Ltd.        12/05/17          30,650  
USD      140,824        EUR      118,000        National Australia Bank Ltd.        12/05/17          367  
USD      13,746,016        EUR      11,521,000        HSBC Bank PLC        01/04/18          2,045  
                         

 

 

 
                            39,735  
                         

 

 

 
USD      84,982        EUR      72,000        Australia And New Zealand Bank Group        12/05/17          (720
USD      7,084        EUR      6,000        Goldman Sachs International        12/05/17          (58
USD      116,803        EUR      100,000        Goldman Sachs International        12/05/17          (2,228
USD      13,528,497        EUR      11,608,000        UBS AG        12/05/17          (288,615
USD      154,720        GBP      116,000        Australia and New Zealand Bank Group        12/05/17          (2,162
USD      1,806,932        GBP      1,362,950        Bank of America N.A.        12/05/17          (36,367
USD      130,891        GBP      99,000        Commonwealth Bank of Australia        12/05/17          (2,999
USD      1,863,869        GBP      1,399,000        Goldman Sachs International        12/05/17          (28,185
USD      1,725,472        GBP      1,302,000        State Street Bank and Trust Co.        12/05/17          (35,396
USD      11,921        EUR      10,000        Goldman Sachs International        01/04/18          (8
USD      100,139        EUR      84,000        Goldman Sachs International        01/04/18          (69
USD      1,894,117        GBP      1,399,000        HSBC Bank PLC        01/04/18          (465
USD      1,997,382        GBP      1,479,000        Royal Bank of Scotland PLC        01/04/18          (5,539
                         

 

 

 
                            (402,811
                         

 

 

 
     Net Unrealized Depreciation        $ (363,076
                         

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      31  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Purchased

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
      

Expiration

Date

      

Exercise

Price

       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  

Call

                           

U.S. 10 Year Note

     5          12/22/17          USD          125.50        $ 625        $ 313  
                           

 

 

 

OTC Options Purchased

 

Description    Counterparty      Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
      

Exercise

Price

       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  

Call

 

Marsico Parent Superholdco LLC

   Goldman Sachs & Co.      6        12/14/19          USD          942.86                 $  
                                

 

 

 

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps — Buy Protection

 

Reference Obligation/Index    Financing
Rate Paid
by the Fund
    Payment
Frequency
   

Termination

Date

   

Notional

Amount

(000)

    Value    

Upfront

Premium

Paid

(Received)

   

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

Dow Jones CDX North America High Yield Index, Series 28, Version 1

     5.00     Quarterly       06/20/22       USD       5,787     $ 490,739     $ 405,588     $ 85,151  

Dow Jones Markit CDX North America High Yield Index, Series 29, Version 1

     5.00     Quarterly       12/20/22       USD       9,082       717,396       710,734       6,662  
            

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
             $ 1,208,135     $ 1,116,322     $ 91,813  
            

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps — Sell Protection

 

Reference Obligation/Index    Financing
Rate Received
by the Fund
    Payment
Frequency
    Termination
Date
    Credit
Rating
 (a)
  Notional
Amount
(000)
 (b)
    Value    

Upfront

Premium

Paid

(Received)

    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

     5.00     Quarterly       12/20/21     B-     USD       620     $ (21,326   $ (20,986   $ (340
              

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)  Using Standard & Poor’s (“S&P’s”) rating of the issuer or the underlying securities of the index, as applicable.  
  (b)  The maximum potential amount the Fund may pay should a negative credit event take place as defined under the terms of the agreement.  

OTC Credit Default Swaps — Sell Protection

 

Reference Obligation/Index    Financing
Rate Received
by the Fund
   

Payment

Frequency

    Counterparty     Termination
Date
    Credit
Rating
 (a)
  Notional
Amount
(000
 (b)
    Value     Upfront
Premium
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC

     5.00       Quarterly       Credit Suisse International       06/20/22     BB+     EUR       20     $ 4,143     $ 3,604     $ 539  

Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC

     5.00       Quarterly       Barclays Bank PLC       06/20/22     BB+     EUR       20       4,143       3,578       565  

Crystal Telecom Ltd.

     1.00       Quarterly       Goldman Sachs International       12/20/22     B+     USD       2,287       431,861       314,422       117,439  
                

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                 $ 440,147     $ 321,604     $ 118,543  
                

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)  Using Standard & Poor’s (“S&P’s”) rating of the issuer or the underlying securities of the index, as applicable.  
  (b)  The maximum potential amount the Fund may pay should a negative credit event take place as defined under the terms of the agreement.  

 

 

32    2017 BLACKROCK QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

 

    Level 1 — Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access

 

    Level 2 — Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs)

 

    Level 3 — Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available (including the Fund’s own assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments)

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds. There may not be a secondary market, and/or there are a limited number of investors. Level 3 investments may also be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, with the amount of such discount estimated by the Global Valuation Committee in the absence of market information.

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the hierarchy. In accordance with the Fund’s policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period. The categorization of a value determined for investments and derivative financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the investments and derivative financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. For information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Fund’s most recent financial statements as contained in its semi-annual report.

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      33  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

The following tables summarize the Fund’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                 

Investments:

                 

Long-Term Investments:

                 

Asset-Backed Securities

   $        $ 81,230,914        $        $ 81,230,914  

Common Stocks

     765,243          157,931          2,500,702          3,423,876  

Corporate Bonds

              400,024,243          12,882,487          412,906,730  

Floating Rate Loan Interests

          578,724,780          30,740,822          609,465,602  

Preferred Securities

     367,747          10,645,876                   11,013,623  

Rights

                       37,223          37,223  

Trust Preferred

     1,542,310                            1,542,310  

Warrants

                       78          78  

Short-Term Securities:

 

Money Market Funds

     7,942,605                            7,942,605  

Options Purchased:

 

Interest rate contracts

     313                            313  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

   $ 10,618,218        $ 1,070,783,744        $ 46,161,312        $ 1,127,563,274  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Assets:

                 

Credit contracts

   $        $ 210,356        $        $ 210,356  

Forward foreign currency contracts

              39,735                   39,735  

Interest rate contracts

     2,547                            2,547  

Liabilities:

                 

Credit contracts

              (340                 (340

Forward foreign currency contracts

              (402,811                 (402,811

Interest rate contracts

     (4,706                          (4,706
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

   $ (2,159      $ (153,060      $        $ (155,219
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)  Derivative financial instruments are swaps, futures contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Swaps, futures contracts and forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.  

The Fund may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial reporting purposes. As of period end, bank borrowings payable of $345,000,000 are categorized as Level 2 within the disclosure hierarchy.

During the period ended November 30, 2017, there were no transfers between levels.

 

 

34    2017 BLACKROCK QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when the Fund had a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning and/or end of the period in relation to net assets. The following table is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used in determining fair value:

 

      Common
Stocks
     Asset-
Backed
Securities
     Corporate
Bonds
     Floating
Rate Loan
Interests
     Other
Interests
     Rights      Warrants      Total  

Assets:

                       

Opening balance, as of February 28, 2017

   $ 2,519,729      $ 1,800,000      $ 10,591,604      $ 15,974,274      $ 12      $ 81,663      $ 29,644      $ 30,996,926  

Transfers into Level 3(a)

                          6,969,824                             6,969,824  

Transfers out of Level 3(b)

            (1,800,000             (3,517,576                       (5,317,576

Other(c)

     28,204                                    (28,204              

Accrued discounts/premiums

                          136,991                             136,991  

Net realized gain (loss)

     23,536               3,387,526        112,820        (276,697             28,869        3,276,054  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(d)

     (37,884             (1,508,803      (725,448      346,063        (16,236      (29,566      (1,971,874

Purchases

                   10,822,512        23,705,362                             34,527,874  

Sales

     (32,883             (10,410,352      (11,915,425      (69,378             (28,869      (22,456,907
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance, as of November 30, 2017

   $ 2,500,702             $ 12,882,487      $ 30,740,822             $ 37,223      $ 78      $ 46,161,312  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at November 30, 20175

   $ (19,030           $ 1,157,715      $ (649,525           $ (16,236    $ (715    $ 472,209  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)  As of February 28, 2017, the Fund used observable inputs in determining the value of certain investments. As of November 30, 2017, the Fund used significant unobservable inputs in determining the value of the same investments. As a result, investments at the beginning of period value were transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 in the disclosure hierarchy.  
  (b)  As of February 28, 2017, the Fund used significant unobservable inputs in determining the value of certain investments. As of November 30, 2017, the Fund used observable inputs in determining the value of the same investments. As a result, investments at the beginning of period value were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 in the disclosure hierarchy.  
  (c)  Certain Level 3 investments were re-classified between Common Stocks and Rights.  
  (d)  Any difference between net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at November 30, 2017 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.  

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      35  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2017

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

The following table summarizes the valuation approaches used and unobservable inputs utilized by the BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) to determine the value of certain of the Fund’s Level 3 investments as of period end. The table does not include Level 3 investments with values based upon unadjusted third party pricing information in the amount of $30,629,103. A significant change in the third party information could result in a significantly lower or higher value of such Level 3 investments.

 

      Value        Valuation Approach      Unobservable Inputs     

Range of

Unobservable

Inputs Utilized

    

Weighted

Average of

Unobservable

Inputs

Assets:

                      

Common Stocks

   $ 2,500,686        Market      EBITDA Multiple(a)      5.13x - 8.38x      6.80x
             Marketability Discount(b)      8.62%     
             Time to Exit(b)      1.08 years     
             Volatility(b)      23%     

Corporate Bonds

     12,882,486        Income      Discount Rate(b)      10.5%     
             Marketability Discount(b)      8.62%     
             Time to Exit(a)      1.08 years     
             Volatility(a)      23%     

Floating Rate Loan Interests

     148,959        Income      Discount Rate(b)      5%     

Warrants

     78        Market      Volatility(a)      25%     
  

 

 

                     

Total

   $ 15,532,209                      
  

 

 

                     

 

  (a)  Increase in unobservable input may result in a significant increase to value, while a decrease in the unobservable input may result in a significant decrease to value.  
  (b)  Decrease in unobservable input may result in a significant increase to value, while an increase in the unobservable input may result in a significant decrease to value.  

 

 

36    2017 BLACKROCK QUARTERLY REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Item 2 –    Controls and Procedures
2(a) –    The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2(b) –    There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the registrant’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 3 –    Exhibits
   Certifications – Attached hereto


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

By:    /s/ John M. Perlowski        
   John M. Perlowski
   Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of
   BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

Date: January 22, 2018

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:    /s/ John M. Perlowski        
   John M. Perlowski
   Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of
   BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

Date: January 22, 2018

 

By:    /s/ Neal J. Andrews        
   Neal J. Andrews
   Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of
   BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

Date: January 22, 2018